
aassJLSZZ 
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INDIAM MISCELLANY: 



CONSISTING OF 



SKETCHES OF INDIAN LIFE, 



EARLY SETTLEMENT, CUSTOMS, AND HARDSHIPS OF THE PEOPLE, 



INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL AND OF SCHOOLS. 

TOGETHER WITH 

Biographical Notices of the Pioneer Methodist 
Preachers of the State, 



REV. WILLIAM C. SMITH, 

OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE. 



CINCINNATI: 

PUBLISHED BY POE & HITCHCOCK, 

FOR THE AUTHOR. 



R. P. THOMPSON, PRINTER. 
1867. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, 

BY WILLIAM C. SMITH, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District 
of Ohio. 






su« 



jHKp 



ESCENDANTS 



THE EARLY SETTLERS OF INDIANA, 
2'his Volume 

IS 
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 

BY 

THE AUTHOR. 



i*,^ 



PEEFAOE. 



In the following pages I have not presumed 
to write a history, but simply sketches and inci- 
dents of the early settlement of Indiana, and 
of some of the noble men and women who first 
emigrated to her territory. Much of what I 
have written has been from memory and per- 
sonal knowledge. 

I have desired to rescue from oblivion some 
incidents in the history of my native State, and 
perpetuate the memory of some of the worthy 
pioneers who endured all the hardships and 
privations of a frontier life. 

I have presented a brief sketch of the intro- 
duction of Methodism into Indiana. I would, 
with pleasure, have given some account of the 
introduction of other Christian denominations 
into the State if I had been in possession of the 
proper data to enable me to do so. Some of 
them have acted a noble part in spreading the 
"savor of a Redeemer's name" in Indiana. 

I have not attempted to give a sketch of any 



6 PREFACE. 

living man — only those who have passed away. 
There are others who are worthy to be had in 
remembrance. Perhaps an abler pen will per- 
petuate their memory. 

Doubtless imperfections and inaccuracies will 
be discovered if the following pages are sub- 
jected to a critical examination; nevertheless, 
I hope the reader will find some entertainment. 
Each chapter is designed to be complete of 
itself, and may be perused to suit the con- 
venience of the reader. Hoping to find some 
favor, I send this volume to the public. 

,WM. C. SMITH. 

Martinsville, Inc., 1867. 



COE"TENTS 



CHAPTER I. 



First Settling of Indiana — Vincennes — The Indians — Early Hard- 
ships and Privations — Structure of the Cabins — How Fortified- 
Indian Traits — Incidents — Killbuck .Pages 14-2? 

CHAPTER II. 

Eastern Indiana — The Pigeon-Roost Massacre of 1812 — Persons 
Killed — A Sugar-Camp Massacre — The Hudson Family — Horrible 
Atrocities — An Incident — The Settlers Subject to Perpetual Fears — 
An Indian Monster — Sources of Enjoyment 24-34 

CHAPTER III. 

Introduction of Schools — School-Houses ; how made — Rules for 
Punishments— Playing-Spells and Kinds of Sports — New Testament 
a Text-Book — Difficulties in Obtaining Teachers 35-38 

CHAPTER IV. 

Morals of the People — The First Murder in all the Eastern Part 
of the State — Criss the Murderer — The Execution — Throngs of 
People 39-42 

CHAPTER V. 

The Introduction of the Gospel among the First Settlers — The 
Sabbath ; how spent — What Methodist Itinerancy has done for the 
State — The Preachers and their Qualifications — A "Son of Thun- 
der" at a Camp Meeting — The Women Gifted in Prayer 43-48 

CHAPTER VI. 

Introduction of Methodism — Whitewater the name of the First 
Circuit — Its Extent— Joseph Williams and John Sell— Church Sta- 



8 CONTENTS. 

tistics — Various Preachers and their Fields of Labor — Vincennes — 
Anecdote of General Harrison — Additional Circuits Formed — Mr. 
Axley and Bishop Morris — Old Western Conference Divided — 
Further Statistics Pages 49-61 

CHAPTER VII. 

Meeting-Houses — Meetings in the Cabins and Groves — Process of 
Building the Primitive Churches — Carr's Meeting-House — Meth- 
odist Church in Wayne County — Men who Preached in it — Fine 
Churches — The First Methodist Meeting-House in Indiana — Salem 
the Third Meeting-House — First Frame Church Erected — Labors of 
Bev. James Havens in Securing Subscriptions 62-70 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Gamp Meetings — Character of the Worship and Services — The 
Closing Exercises — The First Camp Meeting held — Rev. Hugh 
Cull 71-75 

CHAPTER IX. 

Further Sketches and Incidents— The War of 1812-13— Block 
Houses — Hazards of Hunting — The Women of Those Days — Their 
Skill with the Rifle — An Incident — Miss Patsey Odell and her Night 
Adventure 76-83 

CHAPTER X. 

Christopher Roddy — His Frightful Wickedness — Challenged to 
Fight — A Ridiculous End — Pitt, a Colored Man, and Roddy's 
Promise to him 84-88 

CHAPTER XI. 

Three Friends — Death of the youngest — Death of a second one — 
His Disturbance in Mind — Lingering Illness and Death of the 
third— Solemn Warnings 89-93 

CHAPTER XII. 

George Julian — Early Training — Love of Adventure — His Quali- 
ties as a Singer, Class-Leader, etc. — A Sorrowful Experience — His 
Death 94-97 



CONTENTS. 9 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Methodist Exhorters and their Services — Scarcity of Preachers — 
Hardy Cain — James Honley — Spencer — John Doddridge.Pages 98-103 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Moral Heroines — The Women Not Ashamed or Afraid to Pray — 
Their Attendance at Quarterly and Protracted Meetings — Nearly All 
Passed Away 104-106 

CHAPTER XV. 

Progress of Methodism in the State — 1819 — Placing of the Cir- 
cuits — Calvin Ruter and other preachers — Number of Circuits in 
1823 — Increase of Members and general aspect of Method- 
ism 107-117 

CHAPTER XVr. 

Politics — Caucuses and Conventions unknown things — No Dem- 
ocrats, Whigs, or Republicans — Election Days — Stump Speeches — 
The Raccoon and the Rooster as insignia — When and Why 
Adopted — Joseph Chapman and Thomas Walpole — The " RuflSied- 
Shirt Gentry "—A Shrewd, Trick of Walpole's 117-124 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Mrs. Sarah Smith — Early Left an Orphan — Her Nobility of Char- 
acter — Unites with the Methodist Episcopal Church — The Inoree 
River Valley Camp Meeting — Gifted in Prayer — Blessing of Perfect 
Love— The War of 1812-13— Construction of Forts — Mrs. Smith's 
Death 125-134 

CHAPTER XVni. 

George Smith — Birthplace — Death of Both his Parents — Mar- 
riage — Conversion — Emigrates to the West — A Faithful Reader of 
the Holy Scriptures — Last Days and Death — His Children....l35-144 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Rev. Moses Crume — His Awakening and Conversion — His Appoint- 
ments — Personal Appearance — His Piety — Death 145-147 



l5 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XX. 

Kev. John Strange — Admitted on Trial 1811 — A Virginian by 
birth — First Appointment — Indian Troubles — A Characteristic Inci- 
dent—Formation of the Illinois Conference — Personal Appearance — 
Eccentricities — Power as a Preacher — Death Pages 148-156 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Kev. Hugh Cull — Roman Catholic Parentage — Comes to Indiana — 
His Physical Frame — His Preaching Abilities — Last Days 157-161 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Rev. John Gibson — Early Education — A Terror to Evil-Doers — His 
Zeal and Piety— An Incident 162-164 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Introduction of Methodism into Richmond — The " Friends " not 
friendly to the New Religion — A Two Days' Meeting— A Time of 
Power — An Incident — Mr. Henry — A New Church — Rev. Mr. Baugh- 
man Warned — Happy Termination 165-176 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Steadfastness of a Pious Wife— Rev. S. R. Beggs— Mrs. H.— 
Her Husband and His Wickedness — The Wife's Perplexities and 
Troubles — A Love-Feast — Conversion of Mr. H 177-184 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Rev. Russel Bigelow — His Early Life — Admission into the Trav- 
eling Connection — Personal Knowledge of the Scriptures — An 
Anecdote — His Eloquence — His Manners and Habits — His Mighty 
Faith 185-195 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Rev. Allen Wiley — A Virginian by birth — Early Opportunities — 
His Studies — A Hater of Pedantry — His Personal Appearance — As 
a Pastor and Preacher — Extent of his Labors 196-205 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Rev. Nehemiah B. Griffith — His Conversion — Various Appoint- 
ments—His Death — His Faithfulness — Ability as a Preacher.. 206-209 



CONTENTS. 11 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

The Young Lawyer — His First Effort at Early Culture — His Mar- 
riage — His Death-bed Experience and Confessions Pages 210-223 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

James Epperson — A Bit of the Author's Experience — A Sad 
Story — A Consultation — Weariness of Body and Gloom of Mind — A 
Happy Dissipation — Rare Nobility of Character Displayed — An In- 
cident—Epperson's Early Life— His Gifts 224-235 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Hon. James Rariden — Early Life — Intellectual Powers — An Active 
Politician and Jurist — His Large-Heartedness — A Story for Stingy 
People 236-241 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

An Eccentric Circuit Steward — Neglecting Class Meeting — A 
Reason Assigned — Quarterage — Paying Up 242-245 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

Rev. L. W. Berry, D. D.— Born in Vermont— W. B. Christie- 
Berry as a Student — A Camp Meeting Incident — First Sermon — ■ 
Marriage — A Debate — Universalism — Different Appointments — Pres- 
ident of Indiana Asbury University — His Term of Service — Resig- 
nation — Goes to Iowa — Thence to Missouri — Death — His Character- 
istics—Tribute to his Memory 246-263 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Rev. James Havens — Early Life — Marriage — Conversion — Enters 
the Ministry — Various Appointments — His Labors — An Incident of 
Early Life — One of his Ministry — A Third — Peculiarities — Power in 
Prayer — As a Conductor of Camp Meetings — Modes of Fighting 
Satan — His Mental Powers — Ability as a Preacher — Illness and 
Death 264-285 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Rev. Isaac Owen — Born in Vermont — Death of his Father — Early 
Educational Opportunities Limited — As a Preacher — One of the En- 



12 CONTENTS. 

dowment Agents of Indiana Asbury University — Goes to California — 
Personal Appearance — His Illness and Death Pages 286-292 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Edward Brown — Marriage — Conversion — As a Church OflBcer — A 
Bequest concerning his own Funeral — Sickness and Death 293-298 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Rev. Calvin W. Ruter — Early Life in Obscurity — Received on 
Trial in Ohio Conference 1818 — Samuel Hamilton — A Pentecostal 
Camp Meeting — Frail Health — Member of the General Conference 
of 1844 — Personal Appearance — Preaching Abilities — His Pathos — 
His Death 299-304 



INDIAM MISCELLAM. 



CHAPTER I. 

FIRST SETTLING OF INDIANA. 

Sixty-six years ago what is now the great State 
of Indiana was almost one unbroken wilderness. 
Here and there, in the southern and south- 
eastern portions, a settler had broken the forest and 
erected his rude log cabin, and a few towns had 
been laid out. 

Vincennes, on the "Wabash Eiver, was an old 
French post which had been settled sometime be- 
tween 1700 and 1735. Those who have written on 
the subject differ as to the time. The probabilities 
are it was settled as early as 1710. None fix the 
period later than 1735. Those who desire more 
particular information upon this subject will find it 
in "Western Annals," by James H. Perkins. For 
many years this was the solitary spot in the vast 
wilderness inhabited by civilized man. The French 
who had fixed their habitation here, so far from 
civilization, by their intercourse with the Indians, 



14 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

soon became very mucli assimilated into the manners 
and customs of their savage life. It could not for 
many years, therefore, hardly be called any thing 
more than a town of half-savages. All middle and 
northern Indiana was one wild wilderness, where 
the red man roamed over hills and valleys free; 
none to dispute his right save the wild beasts which 
sometimes contended with him for the mastery — for 
a habitation with him in their native forests. The 
Indian felt himself to be Lord of the soil. He 
looked upon the vast herds of deer and buffalo, and 
the numerous flocks of turkies, pheasants, and prai- 
rie-hens as all his own, given to him by the Great 
Spirit for the sustenance of himself, his squaw, 
and his pappooses ; and the bear, wolf, otter, beaver, 
and raccoon as so many instrumentalities furnished 
to his hand in order that he might have raiment 
with which to keep warm during the long months 
of dreary Winter. 

Hunting and trapping were his delight. In 
taking his game he felt that he was taking his own 
as much as the inhabitants of the State do now 
when they go into their fields and meadows to 
slaughter their fat cattle, or into their barnyards 
to obtain poultry for their tables. It is not much 
to be wondered at, then, that when the white man 
came and began to take of his flocks and herds, and 
clear away the forest, and thereby spoil his hunting- 
ground, that the red man should feel that he was 
being seriously wronged, and that the spirit of 



FIRST SETTLING. 15 

revenge should arise in his bosom. Savage though 
he was, a native of the wild-woods, having no 
knowledge of civilization, he had, nevertheless, some 
idea of justice — of right. To see what he believed 
to be his own taken from him by another not of his 
kindred, tongue, or people, made him feel that the 
wrong was too great to be submitted to — an out- 
,rage not to be borne without resistance and strug- 
gle; hence the bloody wars between the white and 
the red man — the unnumbered massacres of men, 
women, and children. Would white men, with all 
their boasted civilization, have submitted to such a 
flagrant violation of what they considered their 
rights? — such an appropriation of their lands and 
•personal property to the benefit of another — a peo- 
ple of another race? 

But the Indian has gone — gone further toward 
the setting sun. Though once they roamed through 
every forest in Indiana, and their camp-fires were 
burning on every hill- top and in every valley, and 
their wild whoop heard to ring in all the forest, 
they have all disappeared, save a few who still cling 
to the graves of their fathers. Instead of the wild, 
unbroken forests which stood in all their majestic 
grandeur sixty-six years ago, now, in every part of 
Indiana, fields of golden grain are seen; instead of 
the wigwam, the stately farm-house shows its pro- 
portions; instead of nature's orchards where grew 
the wild plum, cherry, and grape, now may be seen 
cultivated orchards, producing all the varieties of 



16 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the most delicious fruits; instead of the Indian 
village, composed of a few smoky huts, now rises 
the populous city with its paved or macadamized 
streets, its extensive business-houses, stately man- 
sions, and church edifices with their lofty spires 
pointing toward the clouds; instead of the narrow 
Indian trace the eye catches the track of the rail- 
way, along which dashes the iron-horse, hitched to 
the ponderous train containing its hundreds of 
human beings, or its many tuns of freight. How 
great the change sixty-six years have wrought! 

The first settlers of Indiana were subjected to 
hardships, privations, and toils to which the present 
inhabitants are entire strangers. They were shut 
up to their own resources for the means of living 
and the necessaries of life. With all their energy, 
ingenuity, and skill these were few. They were 
inhabitants of the wilderness. Saw-mills, grist- 
mills, dry goods, and grocery stores were not in the 
country. Their cabins were built of unhewn logs 
covered with clapboards, stick and clay chimneys, 
with puncheon floors. Few of the cabins of the 
first settlers ha^ a window in them. The reasons 
were two : first, there was no such thing as obtaining 
window-sash or window-glass ; second, a window left 
an opening by which wild animals could enter, to 
the dismay of the family. Wolves, bears, panthers 
and wild-cats often prowled around their dwellings 
in the darkness of the night, to the great annoyance 
and terror of the family, particularly the little folks. 



FIRST SETTLING. 17 

During the day the door of the cabin was kept 
open to afford light, and at night, through the 
Winter season, light was emitted from the fireplace, 
where huge logs were kept burning. Candles and 
lamps were out of the question for a few years. 
When these came into use, they were purely 
domestic in their manufacture. Candles were pre- 
pared by taking a wooden rod some ten or twelve 
inches in length, wrapping a strip of cotton or 
linen cloth around it, then covering it with tallow 
pressed on with the hand. These ''sluts," as they 
were sometimes called, answered the purpose of a 
very large candle, and afforded light for several 
nights. Lamps were prepared by dividing a large 
turnip in the middle, scraping out the inside quite 
down to the rind, then inserting a stick, say three 
inches in length in the center, so that it would 
stand upright. A strip of cotton or linen cloth 
was then wrapped around it, and melted lard or 
deer's tallow was poured in till the turnip rind was 
full, then the lamp was ready for use. By the 
light of these, during the long Winter evenings, the 
women spun and sewed, and the men read, when 
books could be obtained. When neither lard nor 
tallow could be obtained, the large blazing fire sup- 
plied the needed light. By these great fireplaces 
many cuts of thread have been spun, many a yard 
of linsey woven, many a frock and pair of buckskin 
pantaloons made. 

For several years there were no physicians among 
2 



18 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the settlers. Medicines from an apothecary shop 
were not to be had. The people gathered their 
remedies from the woods and prairies^ and adminis- 
tered them to themselves, without the formula of a 
prescription. A death was a rare occurrence in 
those days. When one did occur it produced a 
sensation among the people for miles around. All 
turned out to a funeral, though it was that of a- 
little child. 

Usually one man in each neighborhood served the 
people in the way of drawing teeth and blood- 
letting. There were no post-offices or post routes. 
Letters were conveyed by private hand. When the 
friends left behind in the older portions of the 
country desired to send a letter to those who had 
emigrated to Indiana, they were forwarded by some 
emigrant going further west, and addressed in 
something like the following: ''To Mr. A. B., 
Whitewater Settlement of Friends, Indiana Terri- 
tory." Instead of being directed to a post-office, 
letters were always directed to some particular set- 
tlement. 

In addition to all the other hardships to which 
the first settlers were subjected, they had to contend 
with the hostile Indians. From the serious wrongs, 
as they considered, done them by the whites, 
wrongs they had been suffering for years, they 
became the sworn, inveterate foe of the ''pale-faces." 
They had seen themselves driven back further and 
further toward the setting sun. Many of their 



FIRST SETTLING. 19 

tribes had become extinct. Around their camp- 
fires and in their wigwams they had talked over 
their grievances till, overborne by a sense of wrong, 
they had sworn eternal hatred and revenge against 
the' white man. 

Though sons of the forest, born and reared in the 

wild woods, they were keen, shrewd men, full of 
cunning, true to a friend, but deceitful and impla- 
cable toward an enemy. They were to the whites a 
dangerous and much-dreaded foe. The only thing 
that kept them from slaying the whites or carrying 
them off as prisoners when and wherever they came 
across them, was fear of being overpowered. The 
settlers never knew when to trust them. They 
were always in more or less dread day and night, 
hence it was necessary for them to be perpetually 
on their guard, well armed, and prepared for any 
emergency. 

In this work of preparation for attacks the first 
settlers fortified their cabins as well as they could. 
The loft, as it was called, was constructed of split 
logs, so that an entrance could not be made from 
above. The doors were made of split timbers, from 
three to four inches in thickness, pinned firmly to 
battens, and hung upon strong wooden hinges run- 
ning the whole width of the door. The fastening 
was made by boring a large augur-hole through 
on either side of the door, near the door cheek. 
Then the crotch of a limb was obtained from a 
forest tree, one prong of which was cut to a length 



20 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

of three or four inches, while the other was shaved 
to fit the augur hole. It was then driven in and 
wedged on the outside. When the door was shut 
a large wooden bar was dropped into the crotches; 
thus the door was fastened securely. The door- 
shutter was of such a thickness the Indians could 
not split it down witTi their tomahawks, and the bar 
in the inside held it so firmly it could not be forced 
open. The nights of the early boyhood of the 
writer were spent in a cabin thus secured. 

There were some traits of character in the wild 
Indians peculiar to themselves. They always moved 
in single file, whether on foot or mounted; this 
habit gave rise to the phrase, ''Indian file." We 
have seen hundreds of them thus traveling, stretch- 
ing along the trace for miles. They had a peculiar 
whoop by which they made communications along 
the line when desired. The whoop given by one 
would be caught up and repeated as it ran along 
the line, till the forest would ring with hundreds of 
voices at one time. 

When the Indians, in large or small companies, 
met a white person in the way, every one of them 
would instantly place his gun behind him, as if to 
conceal it from view. When they visited the cab- 
ins of the white people they invariably came up in 
the rear. Usually the settler's cabin had but one 
door. An Indian approaching would leave the path 
which led up in front and seek the rear, then walk 
along as stealthily as possible till the cabin was 



FIRST SETTLING. 21 

reached, when, suddenly springing round to the 
door, he would give his salute, thus, if possible, 
taking the family by surprise. It often happened 
that the first thing the family would know, five, 
ten, twenty, or more Indians, with guns, toma- 
hawks, and scalping-knives were at the door. This 
habit of theirs kept the families of the settlers in 
almost perpetual dread. 

The Indians had a great dislike to a coward. 
They admired a brave. It was unfortunate for the 
whites, if, when the Indians visited their cabins, 
they showed any signs of fear. If they did, they 
were very likely to have trouble before their visitors 
left. Seeing the fear of the white people they 
would menace them with their tomahawks and 
scalping-knives for the purpose of increasing their 
alarm. When the whites were well frightened they 
would take whatever they desired and appropriate 
it to their own use. It was necessary for the set- 
tlers, when the Indians came to their cabins or they 
met them in the way, to exhibit a bold and defiant 
spirit, however in mind and heart they might feel. 

The writer recollects well, one night in midwinter, 
after the family had all retired to bed, that a very- 
noted Indian, whose English name was Killbuck, 
came to the door of his father's cabin, and in broken 
English demanded admittance. The door being well 
barred, no answer was given. The demand was re- 
peated several times, and still no answer. Finally, 
Killbuck struck the door several severe blows with 



22 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

his tomahawk, swearing he would split it down if 
it was not opened. My father then told him, in 
positive terms, if he did not leave immediately he 
would put a rifle-ball through him. Killbuck said he 
was cold and hungry, and wanted to warm and get 
something to eat. Fearing he was under the in- 
fluence of liquor, he having just come from a 
trading- house a few miles below where whisky was 
kept to sell to the Indians, and that it would not be 
safe to let him in, he was told to go up the branch 
a short distance to where Old Sal, an Indian squaw, 
was camped, then come back in the morning, when 
he should have something to eat. After a time he 
left, declaring he would have one white man's scalp 
before morning. Early the next morning Killbuck 
returned in a fine humor. Approaching the writer's 
father, he said: "White man heap much brave; he 
no coward." 

We give another incident: One day a number of 
Indians visited a settler's cabin to purchase some 
provisions. The settler was from home. Among 
other things they desired some bacon. The settler's 
wife went into the smoke-house to procure it. 
Several squaws followed her in. One of them took 
a large piece of bacon and started out. She was 
told she could not have that piece. The squaw 
persisted in carrying it off. The white woman 
seized the piece of meat, wrested it from the squaw, 
and struck her a blow which came near prostrating 
her. This caused great merriment among the In- 



FIRST SETTLING. 23 

dians. The men gathered around the settler's wife, 
and patting her on the shoulder, said: *' White 
squaw heap much brave; heap much fight." 

In selling any thing to the Indians for money, it 
was difficult to obtain a fair price. In such a trade 
they were shrewd, but in bartering for their furs, 
peltries, baskets, moccasins, and broaches, they 
seemed to have little judgment. One so disposed 
could take great advantage of them. Mr. C, a 
white man, who had established a trading-house far 
out in the Indian country, having just received a 
supply of needles, told the Indians that the needle- 
maker was dead, and when what supply he had on 
hand was gone they would get no more. The result 
was he exchanged his needles each for a coonskin, 
when the skin was worth from fifty to seventy-five 
cents. 



24 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER II. 

FIRST SETTLING OF INDIANA, (CONTINUED.) 

In Eastern Indiana the first settlers did not suffer 
as much from depredations by the Indians as in 
the southern portion of the territory. A terrible 
slaughter of the whites occurred in what is now 
Scott county, at a place near where the Jefferson- 
ville & Indianapolis Eailroad now passes, called the 
''Pigeon-Roost Massacre." I subjoin from "Dillon's 
History of Indiana" the following account of it: 

"Within the present limits of the county of 
Scott, there was, in 1812, a place that was called 
'The Pigeon-Roost Settlement.' This settlement, 
which was founded by a few families in 1809, was 
confined to about a square mile of land, and it was 
separated from all other settlements by a distance of 
five or six miles. 

"In the afternoon of the 3d of September, 1812, 
Jeremiah Payne and a man whose name was Coff- 
man, who were hunting for ' bee-trees ' in the 
woods about two miles north of the 'Pigeon-Roost 
Settlement,' were surprised and killed by a party 
of Indians. This party of Indians, which consisted 
of ten or twelve warriors, nearly all of whom were 
Shawanees, then attacked the 'Pigeon-Roost Settle- 



FIRST SETTLINa. 25 

ment' about sunset on the evening of the 3d of 
September, and in the space of about one hour 
killed one man, five women, and sixteen children. 
The bodies of some of these victims of savaQ;e war- 
fare were burned in the fires which consumed the 
cabins in which the murders were perpetrated. 

''The persons who were massacred at this settle- 
ment were: Henry Ceilings and his wife; Mrs. 
Payne, wife of Jeremiah Payne, and eight of her 
children ; Mrs. Eichard CoUings and seven of her 
children; Mrs. John Morril and her only child, and 
Mrs. Morril, the mother of John Morril. Mrs. 
Jane Biggs, with her three small children, escaped 
from the settlement, eluded the vigilance of the 
Indians, and about an hour before daylight on the 
next morning arrived at the house of her brother, 
Zebulon Collings, who lived about six miles from 
the scene of carnage. William Collings, who had 
passed the age of sixty years, defended his house 
for the space of three-quarters of an hour against 
the attacks of the Indians. In this defense he was 
assisted by Captain John Norris. There were two 
children in the house. As soon as it began to grow 
dark, Mr. Collings and Captain Norris escaped with 
the two children, John Collings and Lydia Collings, 
from the house, eluded the pursuit of the Indians, 
and on the morning of the next day reached the 
house of Zebulon Collings. 

"A number of the militia of Clark county imme- 
diately proceeded to the scene of the ' Pigeon- 



26 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Boost' massacre, where they found several of the 
mangled bodies of the dead, surrounded by the 
smokina; ruins of the houses. The remains of the 
murdered persons were brought together and buried 
in one grave." 

A man by the name of Shortrige was killed and 
scalped by the Indians, not far from where Cam- 
bridge City, Wayne county, now stands. Charles 
Morgan and two boys by the name of Beesly were 
killed by them at a sugar-camp, in what is now the 
north-western part of Wayne county. The Indians 
stealthily approached the camp where Morgan and 
the two boys were boiling sugar-water after night, 
and suddenly rushed upon them. Morgan made a 
powerful resistance, but was overpowered, and fell 
beneath the blows of their tomahawks. One of the 
boys was also killed with the tomahawk; the other 
started to run, but was shot a short distance from 
the camp. They also shot Morgan's dog. 

Jonathan Shaw, who was boiling sugar-water at a 
camp not far away, hearing the Indian whoop, the 
fierce barking of Morgan's dog, and the report of 
two guns, knew that Morgan's camp was attacked 
by Indians. He immediately fled to the settlement 
and gave the alarm. The next day men went out 
and gathered up the dead bodies. They found 
Morgan terribly mutilated; the ax with which he 
had tried to defend himself lay near by, with marks 
of blood on it, indicating he had given his assailants 
some severe wounds. The boy that had been toma- 



FIRST SETTLING. 27 

hawked was lying in the fire, partly consumed. 
The other boy they found a short distance from 
the camp, where he had fallen, having been shot as 
he ran. The three had been scalped. Morgan 
left a wife and four children. The boys left a 
widowed mother and one brother. This occurrence 
created great alarm among the settlers, and caused 
them to gather their families into the fort which 
they had erected for their protection. 

About the year 1811, a family by the name of 
Hudson, who lived on the north side of Busaron 
creek, some distance above Fort Knox, on the 
Wabash Eiver, were all murdered or taken pris- 
oners and carried off by the Indians, except Mr. 
Hudson. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hudson, some five or six children, and a young 
man who lived with them. On the morning of this 
dreadful tragedy Mr. Hudson left home to attend to 
some business at Fort Knox, the young man went 
hunting, and Mrs. Hudson put her wash-kettle over 
the fire preparatory to washing. Some time after 
nightfall the following evening, Mr. Hudson was 
returning, and when within about one mile of his 
home his faithful dog met him and set up a most 
piteous howl. This strange conduct on the part of 
the dog caused him to have the most fearful appre- 
hensions that some calamity had befallen his family. 
He hastened on as fast as possible. When he came 
in sight of his cabin he saw that it had been con- 
sumed by fire. He rode up to the smoldering 



28 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

ruins, but saw nothing of his family. He called 
them, but no answer came. As he rode round his 
ruined habitation his horse suddenly stopped and 
snorted. Looking a little way in advance, he saw 
the young man who belonged to his family lying 
dead, scalped, his heart torn out and lying upon his 
breast. Mr. Hudson believed this to be the work 
of Indians, and the dreadful thought flashed upon 
him that his family had been murdered by them 
or carried into captivity. He rode back to Fort 
Knox and reported what had been done. The next 
day a detachment of men were sent out from the 
Fort to the scene of the massacre. On arriving at 
the desolate home of Mr. Hudson they found the 
body of the young man as Mr. H. had seen it the 
night before. They found the body of the youngest 
child, an infant a few months old, in the kettle 
which Mrs. Hudson had hung over the fire the 
morning before, together with a few garments partly 
consumed, the back wall of the chimney having 
fallen upon them, but nothing could be found of 
Mrs. Hudson and the other children. It was sup- 
posed, that, when the Indians came to the cabin, 
finding Mrs. H. washing, they took her infant child 
and put it into the kettle of boiling clothes. They 
then made the mother and the other children pris- 
oners, set fire to the house, and waited the return of 
the husband and father. When the young man 
came in from hunting, supposing him to be Mr. H., 
they attempted to take him prisoner, but he fought 



FIEST SETTLING. 29 

SO desperately — for there were signs of a terrible con- 
flict between him and the savages — they killed him 
and left his body, mutilated as it was found, and 
made off with Mrs. H. and her children. They 
were never heard of afterward. 

Mr. Hudson, that he might have a better oppor- 
tunity to avenge the destruction of his family by 
these savage fiends, joined a company of Rangers, but 
soon after was killed by the Indians in the prairie not 
far from where the city of Terre Haute now stands. 

These wild savages seemed to have some idea of 
the old Mosaic law, *'An eye for an eye, and a 
tooth for a tooth," for in their intercourse with the 
different tribes and with the whites they acted on it 
as a cardinal principle. If one of their number 
was slain by one of another nation or tribe, that 
nation or tribe must deliver up one of their number 
to be slain by them. They demanded the observ- 
ance of this rule by the whites. If their demand 
was not granted they took vengeance till sated in 
their own way. In such an event, they would take 
two or three lives for one. 

In the first settling of what is now Wayne 
county, the following incident occurred near the 
present site of the city of Richmond: A man by 
the name of Jones had been out hunting. On re- 
turning home he found an Indian at his cabin who 
had terribly frightened Mrs. Jones by his savage 
menaces, and was helping himself to whatever he 
desired. When Jones entered his cabin the Indian 



30 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

rushed out and made off as fast as he could run. 
Jones shot him as he ran, inflicting a severe, though 
not mortal, wound. The Indian made his escape 
and reached his people. This created great excite- 
ment among both Indians and whites. In a few 
days a delegation of Indians came into the white 
settlement and demanded redress for this shooting 
by Jones. The whites were so well acquainted 
with the Indian character that they knew some 
settlement of the difficulty must be made, or the 
Indians would take merciless vengeance — perhaps 
some of their women and children would be the 
sacrifice. Accordingly a council was called of all 
the men of the settlement. After some time spent 
in consultation, they appointed Esquire Eue, Wil- 
liam L. Williford, and George Smith as commis- 
sioners to treat with the Indians and settle the 
difficulty. These commissioners met the Indian 
delegation. The Indians demanded hlood from a 
white man. The commissioners pleaded that the 
wounded Indian had been the aggressor. In view 
of this fact the Indians proposed to take a horse. 
The commissioners agreed to give one. Accord- 
ingly they purchased a horse and handed him over 
to the Indians, and here the matter rested. 

The inhabitants of Indiana at the present day, 
surrounded with all the blessings of civilization, can 
not realize the privations and sufferings endured by 
those who, with stout hearts and strong arms, 
entered the wilderness, broke the forest, plowed the 



FIRST SETTLING. 31 

soil, planted the first grain, made ^'tlie desert to 
rejoice and blossom as the rose," and laid the 
foundations, deep and broad, for her present pros- 
perity and greatness. ^' One man soweth and an- 
other reapeth." It is equally true that one gener- 
ation soweth and another reapeth. 

Though the first settlers were brave, stout- 
hearted men and women, the dangers surrounding 
them were such, as already intimated, as to keep 
them in perpetual dread. Hundreds and thousands 
of Indians were constantly passing through the 
country. They were the most deadly foes of the 
white people. Many of them had grown old in 
blood-shedding. Many of the depredations com- 
mitted upon the first settlers of Kentucky were by 
Indians from what is now the State of Indiana. At 
their village called Old Town, situated in what is 
now Delaware county, some five miles from Muncie, 
and near White Kiver, many white men were 
tortured to death at the stake by a slow fire, while 
their fiendish captors danced around them. The 
writer visited that spot after the Indians had left 
the village, and saw the stake still standing, around 
which, at a short distance, the terrible fires had 
been kindled for the burning of the wretched 
victims captured by them. The stake was of oak, 
and was some ten feet high. At about the hight of 
a tall man, the rough outline of a human face had 
been cut on each side. The fires had been kindled 
in a circle around the stake at the distance of some 



32 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

five or six feet. These had been built so often that 
the ashes had formed a perceptible ridge. "When 
we visited the place some of the firebrands were 
yet to be seen. Where the Indians had danced the 
ground was packed so hard that nothing would 
grow. Outside this circle, vegetation was luxuriant. 
We will not attempt to describe the feelings we 
had, nor the thoughts that crowded our mind as we 
stood there, musing, nor attempt to recall how 
many white persons had sufi'ered a death too hor- 
rible to contemplate. 

The writer recollects well of hearing an Indian, 
whose English name was Green, say he had killed 
enough white people for himself and pony to swim 
in their blood. We also heard him relate the first 
instance of his taking the life of a white person. 
It was when he was a boy, some fourteen years of 
age. A company of ''braves" were going into a 
white settlement for the purpose of taking scalps 
and plunder. He obtained permission to accompany 
them on condition, or promise, that he would be 
brave. On arriving at the settlement, the first 
night, he and another young Indian were sent to 
reconnoiter a cabin. They returned and reported 
that there were no persons there except one man 
and one woman. They were ordered to go back 
and kill them. They returned to the cabin, and 
while this man and woman were sitting before the 
fire, perhaps not thinking of danger, they shot 
them through an opening in one of the jambs, 



FIRST SETTLING. 33 

entered the cabin, scalped them, and returned to 
their comrades with their bloody trophies. From 
this time forth. Green was a ''brave" among the 
warriors. 

The hardships endured by the settlers, and the 
dangers to which they were exposed tended to 
unite them together in ties of the strongest friend- 
ship. They were, indeed, a band of brothers and 
sisters ever ready to lend a helping hand to each 
other. If a stranger found his way to a settler's 
cabin, he was received with a cordial welcome and 
treated to the best the cabin possessed, and allowed 
to remain till it was his pleasure to depart. 

The etiquette of these frontiersmen was not of the 
city style, but it was agreeable and easily observed. 
When you came to a cabin door, there being no 
door-hell to ring, your salutation would be: ''Who 
keeps the house?" to which the rejoinder from 
within was: "Housekeepers! Come in." The 
cupboard-ware of the first settlers consisted prin- 
cipally of pewter and tin — pewter dishes, pewter 
bowls, pewter plates, pewter spoons, and tin buckets, 
tin coffee-pots, and tin cups. The good housewives 
of those days vied with each other in keeping the 
brightest pewter and tin, the brightest knives and 
forks, and the whitest puncheon floor. 

With all the hardships and privations of those 
who went in the van of civilization, there were 
some sources of enjoyment not realized by those 
who came after them. They beheld the beauties of 



34 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the forests in all their native grandeur, before they 
were marred by the hand of man. They inhaled 
the sweet odors from a thousand wild flowers which 
grew in nature's garden, as they were "wafted upon 
the morning and evening air. They saw the 
numerous flocks and herds of buff'alo and deer, 
God's '' cattle upon a thousand hills," as they gazed 
upon virgin pasture fields of unsurpassed luxuriance, 
and they were charmed with the melody of the 
feathered songsters, as their heavenly strains were 
poured forth from the boughs of a thousand for- 
est-trees. Then did the pious, far away in the 
wilderness, realize that 

" The birds of the air 
Sang anthems of praise 
While they went to prayer." 

The union of hearts, the warm, true friendship 
existing among the first settlers in Indiana, was a 
source of the purest enjoyment to them. With all 
their rough backwoods habits, their lack of the 
means of mental culture, they exhibited in their 
lives the keeping of the great commandment, 
''Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." 

But these hardy, venturous, true, honest pioneers 
are nearly all gone. A few years more and the 
last one of their number will sleep silently in the 
grave. The few who still survive look with admi- 
ration upon the wonderful changes which have been 
wrought within the last sixty years. Sixty years 
more will doubtless produce greater changes. 



INTRODUCTION OF SCHOOLS. 35 



CHAPTER III. 

INTRODUCTION OF SCHOOLS. 

One of the privations to which the first emi- 
grants were subjected was the lack of schools. For 
a time none of any grade existed. When first 
introduced they were by no means of a high order, 
but the people were very glad to get them, such 
as they were. The school-houses were small log 
structures, capable of accommodating from fifteen to 
twenty-five scholars. A school of twenty-five was 
considered very large. Nearly the whole of one 
end of the school-house was cut out for the fire- 
place and chimney. A log in one end or side was 
removed for the purpose of affording light, along 
which a writing-desk was arranged by placing a 
broad board upon pins or supporters driven into the 
wall. The seats were made of hewn timbers with 
legs inserted in auger-holes. One of these benches 
was placed on either side of the fireplace, and a 
third in front, thus forming three sides of a square. 
One also was placed along side the writing-desk. 
These benches were made so high that the smaller 
children when seated could not reach the floor with 
their feet. This aff"orded the little fellows an oppor- 
tunity of taking physical exercise while studying 



M INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

their lessons, they swinging their feet almost per- 
petually, and with as much precision as a regiment 
of soldiers keep the step when on parade or in the 
field drilling. 

The rules for the government and general man- 
agement of these schools differed to some extent. 
In some the rule was for the scholars to be at the 
school-house as early in the morning as possible, if 
that was by the time the sun was up. They were 
then kept till near the going down of the sun, even 
in the long Summer days. The employers went 
upon the principle that a school-teacher should work 
all day, like a man hired to work in the field. The 
scholars were considered to be under the control of 
the teacher from the time they left home in the 
morning till they returned in the evening, and were 
responsible to him for any misdemeanor going to or 
returning from school. 

Fighting, quarreling, or the use of profane lan- 
guage were strictly forbidden. No recess or inter- 
mission was given, but one "play-spell" of from 
one hour to one and a half, at noon. But one 
scholar at a time was allowed to go out during 
school hours. 

The punishment most generally inflicted for a 
breach of the rules was by the use of the rod or 
ferule, laid on in proportion to the off'ense. As an 
additional punishment the offender was sometimes 
sent into the grove to cut the rod with which he 
was to be punished. The boys were sometimes 



INTRODUCTION OF SCHOOLS. 37 

quite miscliievous, and did not mucli regard a light 
flogging so they could have a little fun. 

The play-time at noon was looked forward to 
by the scholars as a season of great enjoyment. 
The sports most delighted in were "bull-pen," 
"town-ball," "cat," "prison-base," and "fox-and 
hounds." The scholars were not arranged in classes 
for recitation, but each one recited by himself. In 
some schools, they recited, each day, in the order in 
which they arrived at the school-house in the morn- 
ing. The one who arrived first, recited first, and 
so on. In this way the teacher kept himself con- 
stantly employed. 

The New Testament was a common school-book. 
The school was opened in the morning by reading a 
chapter in the New Testament, all capable of read- 
ing standing up and reading his verse in regular 
consecutive order. In some schools, the scholars 
were taught to pronounce the letter Z^ Iz-zard ; 
in some. Zed. Those studying arithmetic were 
usually allowed to pursue their studies out of doors. 
In the Winter season, they would build a large fire 
to keep themselves warm. 

It was difficult to procure school-teachers, and, 
when obtained, their qualifications were quite lim- 
ited. One who could teach orthography, reading, 
writing, and arithmetic as far as the Single Eule 
of Three, was considered well qualified. In these 
schools, humble and unpretending as they were, 
some men who have arisen to eminence as physi- 



38 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

cians, lawyers, statesmen, and ministers of the 
Gospel, received their first instruction in letters. 
Though the schools in Indiana were humble, and 
of a low grade at first, no State in the Union has 
made more rapid or greater advancement in educa- 
tional facilities in the same length of time. She 
was organized as a Territory in 1800. Indiana 
University was incorporated in 1807, but did not 
go into operation for several years afterward. Now, 
she has seven universities and -colleges for young 
men, three colleges for young women, a number of 
collegiate institutes and academies, with a system of 
free schools, in successful operation. The Hoosier 
State has been the subject of many slurs, in certain 
quarters, and much has been said about the number 
of persons that can neither read nor write; but if 
the facts were presented, they Avould show that 
nineteen-twentieths of that number are not natives 
of the State, nor were they brought into the State 
while they were children of proper age to go to 
school. 



THE MOEALS OF THE PEOPLE. 39 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE MORALS OF THE PEOPLE. 

Many of those who have never lived on the 
frontier, but who have been born and brought up 
in cities or the older portions of the country, are 
possibly disposed to think that frontiersmen must 
be a wicked, vulgar class of persons; but such is 
not the case. While some of those who first settled 
in Indiana were wicked persons, the great majority 
were moral, honest, virtuous, industrious men and 
women. Drunkenness, gambling, profanity. Sab- 
bath desecration, and fighting, were the exceptions, 
not the common practice. The inhabitants of some 
neighborhoods were more loose in their morals than 
those of others. The first emigrants settled in 
squads or small colonies, forming neighborhoods. 
Miles of unbroken forest intervened between these 
settlements. In some of them wickedness was more 
prevalent than in others. In some it was a rare 
thing to hear an oath uttered, or the report of a 
hunter's gun on the holy Sabbath day, or to see a 
man drunk. To do any of these things was deemed 
disgraceful. The general sentiment was against all 
these vices. For several years after the eastern 
portion of Indiana began to be settled such a 



40 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

thing as the murder of one white man by another 
was not known. 

The first murder in all the eastern portion of the 
State, from the Ohio Eiver to Fort Wayne, occurred 
in Wayne county. A man by the name of Criss 
killed his son-in-law, Chambers. It was induced by 
Chambers's wife. She made complaint, from time to 
time, to Criss, her father, of bad treatment by her 
husband. Criss went to the house of Chambers 
and attacked him with a butcher-knife. Chambers 
started to run. Criss seized a gun which hung 
over the door and shot him as he ran. He fell and 
expired, without speaking, in a few moments. Mrs. 
Flint, who lived in the neighborhood, was present 
and witnessed the whole transaction. This murder 
created great excitement throughout the whole coun- 
try. Criss was arrested and thrown into prison 
in Salisbury. The jail was a log building having 
two rooms. When the Circuit Court came on he 
was brought to trial. The principal witnesses 
against him were his wife and daughter (Mrs. 
Chambers), a son, and Mrs. Flint. He was found 
guilty, and condemned to be hung. The day of 
his execution was a memorable day to the people. 
The fact that a man was to be hung seemed to 
strike every one with awe. Even the children 
were so impressed with the thought that a man 
was to be hung that day they spoke almost in 
whispers. When the day of execution arrived the 
people gathered by scores and hundreds at the 



THE MORALS OF THE PEOPLE. 41 

county seat from many miles around to witness the 
solemn scene. 

At the appointed hour the criminal was taken 
from the jail, where he had been chained down to 
the floor from the time he was condemned, and 
conveyed to the gallows in a wagon, seated upon 
his coffin, guarded by a company of armed men. 
At the gallows Eev. Daniel Fraly, a Methodist 
minister, stood in the wagon and preached a very 
impressive sermon to the people. Criss sat upon 
his coffin during the delivery of the sermon, and 
looked upon the audience without showing any 
signs of excitement. At the close of the sermon 
the rope was adjusted around his neck, the cap 
drawn over his face, and the wagon was driven 
from under him. After a few minutes of hard 
struggling all was over. The blood-stained soul 
passed into the presence of a just God. Criss ex- 
hibited no signs of penitence during his confine- 
ment nor under the gallows. This was the first 
execution in all that region of the country, and 
occurred in the Spring of 1816. 

Far removed from the vices of the crowded city 

or the more populous portions of the old States, 

shut up in the wilderness, dependent upon theii 

industry for a support, the first settlers had no time 

to spend in idleness or pleasure-seeking. Every 

man and woman labored with their hands. Their 

time and attention being honestly employed, the 

prolific sources of crime were cut off. And yet the 

4 



42 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

people were not all pious. "With all the improve- 
ments in the State in the arts and sciences, agri- 
culture and internal improvements, it is doubtful 
whether the morals of the people, in proportion to 
population, are so good as they were fifty years ago. 
All the vices practiced by the people then are 
practiced now, together with many others. If it 
be true that morality and religion have not kept 
pace with the increase of population and the general 
improvement in the State, it is much to be la- 
mented. The examination of the subject is worthy 
the attention of the Churches. 



INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL. 43 



CHAPTER V. 

THE INTEODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE 
FIRST SETTLERS. 

Many of those who first settled the Territory of 
Indiana were members of Churches before they em- 
igrated. Some were Methodists, some Baptists, 
some Presbyterians, some Quakers. Much the 
largest portion were Methodists and Baptists. 
Coming from the older portions of the country, 
where they enjoyed church privileges — where they 
often heard the Gospel preached — they keenly felt 
the loss now that they were inhabitants of the 
wilderness. Though no sound of the church-going 
bell was heard on the holy Sabbath to call them to 
devotion, and though there were no ministers of 
the Lord Jesus to unfold to them the promises of 
God or tell the sweet story of the Cross or of the 
joys of heaven, and administer to them the holy 
sacraments, yet they did not lay aside their Chris- 
tian professions. They set up the family altar in 
their newly-erected cabins, on which they regularly 
offered their morning and evening sacrifices. 

When one of them visited a neighbor to spend a 
social evening, among other topics of conversation, 
religion, and the many happy hours they had 



44 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

enjoyed in the sanctuary in other days and years, 
formed a prominent part, and they always closed 
the evening's sociability with prayer. When the 
Sabbath returned, they gathered together and held 
a prayer meeting, or some one read a sermon from 
some volume he had brought with him from beyond 
the mountains. 

These pioneer Christians felt that, as sin was 
always offensive to God, grievous to the Holy 
Spirit, and had caused the Savior to bleed and die, 
so also it should be grievous to them. They never 
allowed any one to sin in their presence without 
reproof. This was so well known among those who 
were disposed to be irreligious that they seldom 
allowed themselves to sin in the presence of these 
Christians in the wilderness. 

These pious men and women, though without a 
shepherd to be their spiritual guide, were, indeed, 
''the salt of the earth." They looked with anxious 
eyes and longing hearts for the coming of the 
heralds of the Cross. They constantly prayed that 
the Great Head of the Church would send his mes- 
sengers among them. When they did make their 
appearance, they were hailed with delight, and 
welcomed as ministering angels, sent of God to 
comfort an.d strengthen them in the faith of the 
Gospel. When, in their wilderness habitations, they 
first heard the "joyful sound," it was, to them, 
"good news from a far country." On it their souls 
fed and feasted. The heaven-orip-inated Methodist 



INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL. 45 

itinerant system brought the first shepherds to these 
sheep in the wilderness. 

Though the Methodist itinerant system has been 
violently opposed and ridiculed, it was that which 
first brought the Gospel into Indiana. Though the 
itinerant Methodist preachers have been stigmatized 
as " itinerant circuit-riders/' they were the men 
who first threaded the Indian- traces and the newly - 
blazed ways in search of the lost sheep of the House 
of Israel. They were the men who swam rivers, 
slept in the woods alone at night, among wild beasts 
and savage men, in order to carry the glad tidings 
of salvation to the first settlers. 

Indiana is more indebted to itinerant Methodist 
preachers for the high position she now occupies in 
science, literature, and Christianity, than to any 
other class of men. Though these ministers of the 
Lord Jesus were not cultured men, as that term 
is ordinarily understood, they were, nevertheless, 
educated in an exalted sense. Their education was 
such as to qualify them for their peculiar and im- 
portant work. They were inured to hardship; 
they knew how to sympathize with those to whom 
they ministered; they could readily accommodate 
themselves to the circumstances by which they were 
surrounded, and could always make themselves 
agreeable in the loneliest cabin. They all had a 
fair, some of them a good, English training. Some 
of them, while traveling their large circuits, pur- 
sued their studies till they became good Latin, Greek, 



46 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

and Hebrew scholars. They were well read in the 
Holy Scriptures, and when they preached they 
used them. It would have been an anomaly to 
have heard one of these men preach a sermon 
and never make a quotation from the Scriptures, 
except when he read his text. 

These men were fearless in the discharge of duty, 
counting not their lives dear if they might win 
souls to Christ. No privation, no hardship, no 
danger deterred them. They were bold in their 
attacks upon Satan's kingdom, which, by the power 
of the Holy Spirit that attended their preaching, 
was often made to rock from center to circum- 
ference. No sin, great or small, in high or low 
places, was allowed to go unscathed. Fear of 
offending, even the most influential, formed no part 
of their programme. Their eyes were singly fixed 
upon the glory of God in the salvation of souls. 

It frequently occurred, when these self-sacrificing 
men of God were making their bold charges upon 
the ranks of Satan, in the name of the Great Cap- 
tain of their salvation, that those who were 
marshaled under hell's dark banner would call for 
quarter, and, falling upon their knees, commence 
pleading for mercy. On one occasion, at a camp 
meeting, while one of these ministers, who was a 
real ''son of thunder," was pouring out* the terrors 
of the law, describing the torments of the damned 
in such awfal horror that it seemed their dreadful 
groans could almost be heard, and while the 



INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL. 47 

thunders from Sinai's smoking top rolled long and 
loud, an old Eevolutionary soldier who was stand- 
ing in the rear of the congregation, came rushing 
toward the preachers' stand, crying at the top of 
his voice: ^'Quarter! quarter! quarter!" and fall- 
ing upon his knees, said: "I am an old soldier; 
I have fought through the Revolutionary War; I 
have heard the cannon's loud roar, and have seen 
blood and brains flying in every direction around 
me; but since God made me, I never heard such 
cannonading as this. I yield! I yield!" 

Some of these ministers, who first planted the 
Gospel standard, were truly eloquent, and would 
hold the listening crowds that attended their 
preaching spell-bound, swaying them like forest 
trees before the mighty blast. 

While those holy men led the van, they were 
supported by as noble, brave, and true a band of 
Christian men and women as ever fought under the 
blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. " They 
shunned no cross; despised no shame." Some of 
them were mighty in prayer and exhortation. 

The women of those days were gifted in prayer, 
and often prayed in the public congregation. We 
have heard them, while they took hold of the horns 
of God's altar by faith, and pleaded with an earnest- 
ness and power that seemed to bring heaven and 
earth together. These ministers and members are 
nearly all gone. They have crossed the river, 
grounded their arms at Jesus' feet, and have been 



48 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

crowned *' heirs of eternal life." But tliey are 
worthy 'Ho be had in everlasting remembrance." 
When tliei/ fell in the ranks of God's sacramental 
host, ending their warfare with the shout of triumph, 
there were no religious periodicals in which to pub- 
lish to the Church and the world an account of 
their holy lives and triumphant deaths. We shall 
give a more extended notice of some of them here- 
after. 



INTEODUCTION OF METHODISM. 49 



CHAPTER YI. 

INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM. 

It has generally been thought that Methodism 
was introduced into Indiana in what is known as 
Clark's Grant, which included a great portion of 
what is now Clark and Floyd counties. In later 
years it has been stated that a class of Methodists 
was formed in Clark's Grant as early as 1802; but 
upon what evidence or authority we do not know. 
We do know that Eev. Hugh Cull, a local preacher, 
settled in the Whitewater country as early as 1805, 
having visited the country the year previous. 

The first circuit in Indiana was called White- 
water, and belonged to the Ohio district, in the 
old Western Conference. It embraced all the 
country from the Ohio River along the eastern line 
of the Territory as far north as there were any 
white settlements, which was in the region where 
Eichmond now stands, and west to the land be- 
longing to the Indians. This circuit was probably 
formed in 1807. It appears upon the Minutes of 
the Western Conference in the year 1808, with 
Joseph Williams as preacher in charge, and John 
Sale presiding elder of the district. 

The settlements visited by Mr. Williams were 



50 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

remote from eacli other. The traveling was labori- 
ous and hazardous. The roads along which he had 
to pass were Indian traces and newly-blazed ways. 
The streams were unbridged; the country was full 
of ravenous beasts and of the much-dreaded Indians. 
The emigrants to whom he ministered could afford 
him but few accommodations. He labored faith- 
fully hunting up the Methodists who had pitched 
their tents in the wilderness, and at the end of the 
year returned one hundred and sixty-five white 
members and one colored. 

According to the most reliable data, these were 
all the Methodists who had, to this date, been or- 
ganized and numbered in Indiana. In 1808 Indi- 
ana contained but one circuit, with 166 members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Now, 1866, there 
are four Annual Conferences, with a membership of 
about 100,000 in the State. How great the change 
in fifty-eight years ! Mr. Williams has the honor of 
being the first itinerant Methodist preacher ap- 
pointed to a circuit in Indiana. We would, if we 
had the particulars of his life and death, give them 
to the public to perpetuate his memory. In 1809 
he was sent to Scioto circuit, in the State of Ohio, 
and in 1810 he located. 

In 18Q9 Indiana district was formed, and Samuel 
Parker was .ajppoiated presiding elder. It was 
con^posed of .the fol'lawifng circuits: Illinois, Mis- 
souri, Maran^aok, (Gold water, '^/hitewater, and Silver 
iCreQk. Though iljut two.circ\iits,Qf ithis district were 



INTEODUCTION OF METHODISM. 61 

in Indiana, we give its entire bounds, that the young 
men who are now traveling circuits and districts in 
the State may see the extent of the fields of labor 
our fathers had to cultivate. This district covered 
all the Territories of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. 
It required surely a man of strong nerves and stout 
heart to travel such a district at such a time. In 
traveling this district Mr. Parker had to go from 
the eastern boundary of Indiana across Illinois, and 
then across the Mississippi Kiver into Missouri. In 
some places many miles of unbroken wilderness 
intervened between the settlements he had to visit. 
This year Silver Creek circuit was formed, and 
embraced all the settlements in the southern portion 
of the Territory, and up the Ohio River to White- 
water circuit. Hector Sanford and Moses Grume 
were appointed to Whitewater, and Josiah Crawford 
to Silver Creek. The most northern appointment 
on the Whitewater circuit was the cabin of Ceorge 
Smith, which was about two miles from where the 
city of Eichmond is now situated. 

At tiie close of this year the preachers returned 
352 members for Whitewater circuit, and 188 for 
Silver Creek, making an increase of 374. In 1810 
Whitewater was placed in the Miami district, with 
John Sale presiding elder, and Thomas Nelson and 
Samuel H. Thompson circuit preachers. This dis- 
trict was composed of the following circuits : Cin- 
cinnati, Mad Eiver, Scioto, Deer Creek, Hockhock- 
ing, White Oak, and Whitewater. 



52 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Silver Creek was in the Green Eiver district, "Wil- 
liam Burke presiding elder, and Sela Pain circuit 
preacher. This district was composed of the fol- 
lowing circuits : Green Eiver, Barren, Wayne, 
Cumberland, Danville, Salt Kiver, Shelby, and 
Silver Creek. Indiana district was composed of 
Illinois, Missouri, Maramack, Coldwater, Cape 
Girardeau, and Vincennes circuits. Samuel Par- 
ker was returned to the district, and William Wi- 
nans was appointed to Vincennes. Nelson and 
Thompson, who traveled the Whitewater circuit 
this year, both rose to considerable distinction, 
particularly Mr. Thompson. The next year Nelson 
was sent to Kapids circuit, in Mississippi. Mr. 
Thompson was sent to Nollichuckie, in the State 
of Tennessee. Neither of these men ever returned 
to Indiana to labor. 

Sela Pain, who traveled the Silver Creek circuit 
this year, was sent the next to Natchez circuit, 
Mississippi. 

Vincennes circuit appears on the Minutes of the 
Conference this year for the first time, making 
three fields of labor in Indiana. What the dimen- 
sions of this circuit were, at its formation, we have 
no means of knowing. Vincennes was an old 
French post, under the influence of the Eoman 
Catholics; a hard place in which to plant Meth- 
odism. Mr. Winans, who had been sent to Vin- 
cennes this year, had been admitted on trial in the 
Western Conference the year before. He was a 



INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM. 53 

young man of promising talents, and made a good 
impression on those who heard him preach. It was 
difficult for him to get the people of Vincennes to 
come to preaching, so wicked and so much were 
they under the influence of the Eomish priests. 

The following incident is said to have occurred 
this year: General William H. Harrison was Gov- 
ernor of the Territory of Indiana, and resided at 
Vincennes. Young Mr. Winans had an appointment 
to preach one night, in a small room in town. Gen- 
eral Harrison and one other person composed the 
congregation assembled to hear the young preacher. 
There was but one candle to give light, and nothing 
to place that upon. The General held the candle 
for the young preacher to see to read his hymn and 
text. Mr. Winans preached faithfully to those two 
hearers. After this he had no trouble in getting 
a congregation to preach to. 

From Vincennes Mr. Winans was sent to Atta- 
kapas circuit, in the Mississippi district, Louisiana. 
This was the only year he labored in Indiana. He 
rose to considerable distinction; received the de- 
gree of D. D., and was several times elected to Gen- 
eral Conference. He was a member of the General 
Conference of 1844, which met in the city of New 
York, and took an active part in the great discus- 
sion on the subject of slavery. He was one of the 
prominent leaders in the formation of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. He died a few years 
since. Some of his family still reside in the South, 



54: INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

and were violently opposed to the United States 
Government during the late rebellion. 

At the close of this year the preachers returned 
484 members from Whitewater circuit, 235 from 
Silver Creek, and 43 from Vincennes, making a 
total of 765, an increase of 418, showing that 
Methodism began to take a deep hold upon the 
pioneers in Indiana. 

In 1811 Whitewater circuit was continued in 
connection with the Miami district, Solomon Lang- 
don presiding elder, and Moses Crume in charge of 
the circuit. The people hailed Mr. Grume's return 
to them with great delight. He had traveled the 
circuit as junior preacher two years before. He 
made his impress upon the people so deeply this 
year that he was ever afterward a great favorite 
among them. 

Isaac Lindsey was sent to Silver Creek circuit 
this year. It remained in connection with the 
Green Eiver district, with William Burke as pre- 
siding elder. 

Vincennes appears on the Minutes this year as 
^'St. Vincennes," in connection with the Cumber- 
land district. Learner Blackman presiding elder, 
and Thomas Stilwell circuit preacher. Mr. Black- 
man was a man eminent for his talents, piety, and 
usefulness. During the course of his life he trav- 
eled over a very extensive territory of country, 
ranging from Pittsburg to New Orleans^ and was 
highly esteemed by all who knew him. This year 



INTEODUCTION OF METHODISM. 65 

the preachers reported 368 members from White- 
water circuit, 397 from Silver Creek, and 325 from 
Vincennes, making a total of 1,160, or an increase 
of 395. 

In 1812 two additional circuits were formed in 
Indiana — Lawrenceburg and Patoka. Whitewater 
and Lawrenceburg were connected with the Miami 
district, Solomon Langdon presiding elder. Silver 
Creek was connected with Salt Eiver district, 
James Ware presiding elder, while Vincennes and 
Patoka were connected with Wabash district, 
James Axley presiding elder. Walter Griffith was 
sent to Lawrenceburg, Eobert W. Finley to White- 
water, William M'Mehan to Silver Creek, James 
Turner to Vincennes, and Benjamin Edge to Patoka. 
These men were all faithful and useful. Some of 
them were men of note. Rev. Jacob Young, in his 
''Autobiography," and Bishop Morris, in his Mis- 
cellany, speak in high terms of James Axley, the 
presiding elder this year of Wabash district. He 
was a man of a peculiar order of talents, and very 
noted for his eccentricities. Many amusing and 
interesting anecdotes are related of him. Bishop 
Morris somewhere relates the following as his in- 
troduction to Mr. Axley, while the Bishop was 
attending the Holston Conference, soon after he had 
been elected and ordained to the Episcopal office. 
As he was walking along the street in the town 
where the Conference was in session, he suddenly 
felt himself in the grasp of some one who h;id come 



56 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

up from behind him. The stranger holding him 
fast said, ''This is Bishop Morris, I suppose?" The 
Bishop answered, ''It is what is left of him." 
"Well," said the stranger, as he eyed him from 
head to feet, " I think the General Conference was 
scarce of Bishop timber when they made a Bishop 
out of yo^^." 

Walter Griffith, who traveled the Lawrenceburg 
circuit this year, was afterward made presiding 
elder, and filled that important office with great 
acceptability and usefulness. P^obert W. Finley 
had been a Presbyterian minister for several years, 
and was the father of Pev. James B. Finley, who 
rose to such distinction in Ohio. At the close of 
this year there were returned from the five circuits 
in Indiana a total membership of 1,121, which 
seems to present a decrease in the number of Church 
members; but from some cause there were no re- 
turns from Lawrenceburg and Patoka circuits. This 
accounts for the apparent decrease in the number 
of members. 

In 1813 the old Western Conference was divided 
or discontinued, and the Ohio and Tennessee Con- 
ferences were formed out of it. The circuits 
in Indiana were placed in these two Conferences. 
Lawrenceburg and Whitewater were placed in the 
Miami district, and Silver Creek in the Salt Piver 
district, all within the boundary lines of Ohio Con- 
ference. Patoka disappears this year. William 
Dixon was sent to Lawrenceburg, John Strange 



INTEODUCTION OF METHODISM. 57 

went to "Whitewater, and Thomas Nelson to Silver 
Creek. 

Vincennes was placed in the Wabash district, 
Tennessee Conference, with Peter Cartwright pre- 
siding elder, and Eichard Kichards circuit preacher. 
This being the year when the war with Great 
Britain and her Indian allies was in full blast, the 
exposures and privations of the itinerant Methodist 
preachers were greatly increased. The dangers 
from the Indians, the deadly enemy of the whites, 
now encouraged and strengthened by the British, 
were so great that the settlers most generally gath- 
ered into forts which they had erected for their 
safety. In order that they might preach to them, 
the preachers had to follow the settlers to these 
forts. Indeed, they had few or no preaching-places 
except forts. Some of these self-sacrificing men 
of God, for their own safety, carried their guns 
with them whenever traveling from fort to fort 
to preach to their flocks. This state of things de- 
ranged the plans of the circuits and the classes very 
much; but it did not destroy the religious fervor of 
these pious Methodists, shut up in their stockades. 
When one of these itinerants, with his gun on his 
shoulder, called at the gates of one of these forts, 
it was immediately swung open by the inmates, and 
he received in as the Lord's messenger; and while 
preaching the Word of Life to them, the holy fire 
which burned in their hearts would be raised to such 
a flame that the shout of "a King in the camp" 



58 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

was heard. These were glorious " times of refresh- 
ing from the presence of the Lord." The writer, 
though then a small boy, remembers well some of 
those seasons in the fort at his father's. 

At the close of this year the number of Church 
members reported was as follows : 

Lawrenceburg 489 

Whitewater 847 

Silver Creek 555 

Vincenues 175 

Patoka 110 

Total membership 2,176 

In five years, two thousand, one hundred and 
seventy-six members had been gathered into the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Indiana, and this 
though the country was new and though but a 
small portion of the Territory was inhabited by 
white people. 

This large increase shows that the men who had 
been sent into the wild wilderness to cultivate Im- 
manuel's land had done their work faithfully, and 
God had crowned their labors with success. 

In 1814 Moses Crume was sent to Lawrenceburg 
circuit, David Sharp to Whitewater, Charles Harri- 
son to Silver Creek, and Zachariah "Witten to Vin- 
cennes. Patoka does not appear in the list of 
appointments for this year. Charles Holliday was 
appointed presiding elder of Salt River district, 
and Silver Creek being in his district gave him 
connection with the work in Indiana; and Jesse 



INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM. 59 

Walker being presiding elder of Illinois district, and 
Vincennes being in that district, tie was brougbt 
in connection with the work in Indiana. 

The number of members reported at the close of 
this year was 1,759, showing a decrease, which was 
caused by the derangement of the work produced 
by the war in which the country was then engaged. 
In 1815 John Strange was sent to Lawrenceburg, 
William Hunt to Whitewater, Shadrach Ruark to 
Silver Creek, John Scripps to Patoka, and John 
Shrader to Vincennes, with the same presiding 
elders that traveled the districts the year before. 
The number of circuits was not increased, but their 
boundaries were greatly enlarged. 

The terror among the settlers, caused by the war, 
and the constant danger from the Indians that in- 
fested the country by thousands, had caused many 
of the inhabitants to return to the old States for 
safety. Among them were many Methodists, caus- 
ing a large decrease this year. There were reported 
to Conference a total of 1,504. 

In 1816 David Sharp was sent to Lawrenceburg, 
Daniel Fraly to Whitewater, Joseph Kinkade to 
Silver Creek, John Shrader to Blue Eiver, Thomas 
A. King to Patoka, and Thomas Davis to Vin- 
cennes. Blue River circuit had been formed out of 
a part of Silver Creek. It extended down the Ohio 
Eiver, and out to the head- waters of Patoka. We 
now have six circuits formed in Indiana. The war 
being over, and the country becoming more quiet, 



60 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the inhabitants who had fled for fear of the Indians 
began to return, with many new emigrants. The 
preachers were enabled to report this year a total 
of 1,877 members, an increase of 373 over the past 
year. 

In 1817 Kussel Bigelow was sent to Lawrence- 
burg, Benjamin Lawrence to Whitewater, Daniel 
M'Henry and Thomas Davis to Patoka, James 
M'Cord and Charles Slocumb to Vincennes, John 
Cord to Blue River, and Joseph Pownel to Silver 
Creek. 

Missouri Conference having been formed, all of 
Illinois, and all of Indiana, except Lawrenceburg 
and Whitewater circuits, were placed in that Con- 
ference. The other circuits were in the Illinois dis- 
trict, with Samuel H. Thompson for presiding elder. 
Moses Crume was placed on the Miami district, in 
the Ohio Conference, which brought him back to 
Lawrenceburg and Whitewater circuits, where he 
met a hearty welcome from the people. The preach- 
ers on the six circuits in Indiana reported at the 
close of this year a total membership of 1,907, being 
a small increase over the past year. 

In 1818 Samuel West and Allen Wiley were sent 
to Lawrenceburg, William Hunt to Whitewater, 
Charles Slocumb to Patoka, Thomas Davis to Lit- 
tle Pigeon, John Shrader and John M'Cord to Vin- 
cennes, Othniel Talbert to Blue River, and John 
Cord to Silver Creek. Little Pigeon was a new 
circuit just formed, and embraced the country 



INTEODUCTION OF METHODISM. 61 

soutH-west of Blue Eiver circuit. We have now 
seven circuits, traveled by nine preachers. The 
preachers reported to Conference at the close of 
this year a total of 3,044 members, an increase of 
1,037. 

We have now given a brief sketch of the intro- 
duction and progress of Methodism in Indiana, so 
far as the formation of districts and circuits, and 
the men appointed to travel them, is concerned, for 
the first decade. We will now turn our attention 
to some other particulars connected with the intro- 
duction of Methodism into the State. 



62 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTEK VII. 

MEETING-HOUSES. 

The first places of public worship were the cabins 
of the emigrants. Some of these were large enough 
to hold from fifty to one hundred persons. A con- 
gregation of one hundred persons was considered 
large in those days. During the Summer and 
Autumn, the people frequently resorted to the grove 
for public worship. A rough stand was erected, 
and seats made of split logs, properly arranged. 
At these stands circuit preaching through all the 
warm season was had; also Sabbath prayer meet- 
ings, and sometimes two days' meetings were con- 
ducted at them. Often the power of the Holy One 
came down among the people, and nature's temple 
was made to ring with high halleluias. These Chris- 
tians felt that in God's own temple they could speak 
forth the praises of the Most High, and pour out the 
joy and gratitude of their hearts without restraint. 

As soon as it was possible, having first to erect 
their cabins, clear a little ground, and prepare to 
raise bread for their families, they commenced the 
work of building houses for the Lord. Saw-mills 
were few and far between, and the only carpenter's 
tools the country afi'orded were axes, hand-saws. 



MEETING-HOUSES. 63 

drawing-knives, and' augers ; consequently, the meet- 
ing-houses were of rough construction. They were 
of logs, covered with clap-boards, held on by weight- 
poles. The floors were of puncheons; the chimneys 
of sticks and clay, and the seats of split logs, hewn 
smoothly with an ax. The pulpits were of clap- 
boards, shaved nicely with a drawing-knife. A 
window was cut out immediately in the rear of the 
pulpit, to give light for the preacher to see to read 
his hymns. Scripture-lessons, and text. In some 
cases this was the only window in the house. Such 
meeting-houses were the best the people could af- 
ford. They erected them with much earnest prayer. 
When they were ready for use, they were, in the 
most solemn manner, offered to the Great Head of 
the Church, as a place for him to dwell in; a place 
where they might " worship him in spirit and in 
truth." In these rudely-constructed temples of the 
Most High the Gospel was preached in its purity. 
Saints and -sinners '' received their portion in due 
season." The^:e was no compromising with sin, no 
studying to please the worldly-minded, nor dispo- 
sition to avoid giving offense to the half-hearted, 
formal professors of religion. The law was fulmi- 
nated from Sinai's blazing top. Hell, with its sul- 
phurous flames .and the groans of the damned, were 
portrayed in words that burned. The love of God 
to man in the gift .of his Son ; the humiliation and 
condescension of the Savior in coming into the world 
to suffer, bleed, and die.; his poverty and sorrow; 



■64 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

his agony in the garden ; Lis betrayal ; his cruci- 
fixion on the cross; his last cry — ''It is finished;" 
his resurrection from the tomb, and his ascension, 
were each and all presented to the people in colors 
of living light that won the heart and caused tears 
of joy to flow like showers of rain. Worship among 
the first settlers was real, spiritual, soul-worship. 
They had not the temptations to pride and self-grat- 
ulation when at the place of worship which may 
beset those who pay their devotions in splendid 
church edifices, sitting on cushioned seats, and 
kneeling — if they kneel at all — on Brussels carpets. 
We are not entering a protest against fine churches. 
Of all houses God's house should be most magnifi- 
cent. It is questionable, however, whether the 
spending of seventy-five or one hundred or one 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars to build a church 
for one congregation to worship in, when there are 
so many places where God's poor have no house of 
worship, and when so much of the world is still in 
heathen and pagan darkness, is pleasing to the Di- 
vine Being. It requires much watching, much close 
self-examination, and constant prayer, to avoid be- 
coming vain of our fine churches. The tendency is 
strong to forget Christ's poor; and we fear that 
sometimes we push aside the statement that Christ 
himself was so poor when on earth that he cried, 
"The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have 
nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay 
his head." 



MEETING-HOUSES. 65 

One of the first, if not the first, Methodist meeting- 
houses built in Indiana was erected in what is now 
Wayne county, in 1808. In this year the first cir- 
cuit was formed. It was called "Whitewater." This 
meeting-house was at the time the upper or most 
northern appointment on that circuit. There being 
no circuit formed in any other part of the Terri- 
tory prior to 1808, it may be presumed there were 
no meeting-houses built at an earlier date. The 
one referred to was called '' Meek's Meeting-House," 
and was built on Clear creek, a little to the south- 
east and about one mile and a half from where 
Salisbury, the first county seat of Wayne county, 
was afterward located. This house was occupied 
as a preaching- place for several years. After Salis- 
bury was laid out and began to improve, preaching 
was moved to the town, and the old log meeting- 
house was abandoned. To this meeting-house the 
writer was carried by his parents when an infant, and 
there dedicated to God in holy baptism by the Eev. 
Moses Grume, who was then traveling Whitewater 
circuit. So far as we know, there is not a member 
of the Church who worshiped in this meeting-house 
now living, and but one surviving of all the minis- 
ters who preached in that house, and he is far 
advanced in life. If all are safely housed in heaven, 
how great the contrast! Once they worshiped 
together in this world in a log temple, surrounded 
by wild beasts and savage men. Now they worship 

together in heaven, in a ''house not made with 
6 



66 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

hands," surrounded by angels, the prophets, and 
apostles. 0, happy saints! wait and watch! We, 
your descendants, who still sorrow below, are fol- 
lowing on. 

The second Methodist meeting-house erected in 
Wayne county was built on land belonging to John 
Cain, about three miles north-west of where Rich- 
mond now stands. It was called ''Cain's Meeting- 
House." It was a log structure, about eighteen by 
twenty-two feet, the chimney in one end. When it 
was ready for occupancy, a day for its presentation 
to the Great Head of the Church was appointed. 
When the time for the solemn services arrived, the 
people — men, women, and children — gathered in 
from the surrounding neighborhood. The dedica- 
tion sermon was preached by John Summerville, 
who was then traveling the Oxford circuit in the 
State of Ohio. His text was Zechariah x, 4: ''Out 
of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, 
out of him the battle-bow, out of him every op- 
pressor together." A singular text for a dedication 
sermon. 

In this small log-house some of the most talented 
men of the West have preached the unsearchable 
riches of Christ ; among the number Moses Crume, 
John Strange, Walter Griffith, Alexander Cummins, 
Augustus Jocelyn, James Jones, Arthur W. Elliott, 
Russel Bigelow, Allen Wiley, and James Havens. 
One sermon preached in the house by Augustus 
. Jocelyn, from 2 Peter ii, 22 — " But it has happened 



MEETING-HOUSES. 67 

unto them according to the true proverb; the dog 
is returned to his own vomit again, and the sow 
that was washed to her wallowing in the mire " — 
made an impression on the minds of some who 
heard it that time can never erase. O, the dread- 
ful state of the backslidder as portrayed by the 
preacher that day ! 

These distinguished men of God have all passed 
away. Their voices are no more heard among men, 
but " their works do follow them." 

Cain's meeting-house has long since disappeared, 
and perhaps but few, if any, who now reside in that 
neighborhood know that there ever was such a place 
of worship. 

The third meeting-house erected in Wayne county 
was called "Salem," and was built where the town 
of Boston now stands. It was of larger dimensions 
and made a finer appearance than either of the 
others. This house was occupied as a place of wor- 
ship for a number of years. In it the power of 
God was displayed in a wonderful manner. Many 
souls were enlisted in the army of the Lord, and 
many here first tasted the joys of pardoned sin. A 
large society was built up, and the town of Boston, 
where the old Salem Church once stood, is now the 
head of a circuit in the South-Eastern Indiana Con- 
ference. 

The first frame meeting-house built in "Wayne 
county by the Methodists was erected under the 
administration of Rev. James Havens, in the town 



68 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

of Centerville. The members of the Church, in 
the bounds of the circuit, were generally poor. 
Mr. Havens carried a subscription paper with him 
as he passed round the circuit, and solicited aid to 
build as opportunity offered. He presented his sub- 
scription paper to Elisha W. Fulton, an excellent 
man and class-leader who then lived in Eichmond. 
Mr. Fulton was not opulent. His occupation was 
making Windsor chairs. Times were hard and 
money scarce. He could exchange his chairs for 
produce, but seldom could sell them for cash. He 
greatly desired to aid in the erection of the church, 
but felt his embarrassment. He finally offered Mr. 
Havens a set of ten-dollar chairs. Mr. Havens 
said, '' No, subscribe five dollars and the Lord will 
send some man to buy your chairs, and you will 
save five dollars." Mr. Fulton thou2;ht a moment. 
He determined to trust the Lord. He subscribed 
five dollars, and Mr. Havens went on his way re- 
joicing. The next day a gentleman from Center- 
ville came over to Eichmond, bought a set of chairs 
of Mr. Fulton, and paid him ten dollars in cash. 
Mr. Fulton laid by five dollars for Mr. Havens, 
and when he came round again paid the sum and 
had his five left. ISTo one ever loses any thing by 
trusting the Divine Being. By subscriptions of 
ten, five, and one dollar, the necessary funds to 
build the meeting-house were procured. Lsrael 
Abrams gave fifty dollars, which was then consid- 
ered and was really a large amount to be given by 



MEETING-HOUSES. 69 

one man. It would be pleasant to give accounts of 
the erection of the first meeting-houses in other 
parts of Indiana had we the data. No doubt many- 
interesting incidents connected with their history- 
might be given, but unless some other pen writes 
them out they will never be furnished to the 
public. 

Since the first rude log meeting-house was erected 
in Indiana, the work of church-building has gone on, 
till in almost every village and neighborhood a 
Methodist church may be seen. In some of our cities 
there are as many as five or six. At this time the 
number of. Methodist churches in the State reaches 
to some thirteen hundred. Some of them are of the 
finest architecture, costing from thirty to seventy 
thousand dollars. 

The advancement in this department of Christian 
enterprise in Indiana, for the last fifty years, has 
been equal to that of any other State in the Union, 
in proportion to population. Those who assemble in 
their richly -furnished churches can not fully sym- 
pathize with those who worshiped in their small log 
meeting-houses, in the wilderness. The worship in 
our elegant churches is, perhaps, more formal than it 
was when our fathers and mothers paid their homage 
to Jehovah in the simply-constructed temples of their 
own hands, or under the shade of the closely-inter- 
locked forest trees. Our congregations now present 
a much more gay appearance than then ; neverthe- 
less, God has still true worshipers. And, though in 



70 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

some of our churches there are instruments to assist 
in '^ making melody unto the Lord," there is the 
power of the Holy One in them, and Christians are 
still '' glad when it is said unto them, let us go up to 
the house of the Lord." They say, " Our feet shall 
stand within thy gates, Jerusalem!" 



CAMP MEETINGS. 71 



CHAPTER YIII. 

CAMP MEETINGS. 

Camp meetings were highly prized by the Meth- 
odists of Indiana, in the first settling of the country. 
They were looked to with great anxiety from year 
to year. At the close of one camp meeting, the peo- 
ple looked forward to the next, as the period, when 
they should meet again in their annual convocation, 
and enjoy a rich " feast of tabernacles." At the con- 
clusion of one, they made certain calculations on at- 
tending the next, if life and health were spared. 
They made it a rule to attend at least one camp 
meeting each year. If they were held in the midst 
of '' crop time," or harvest, that did not prevent 
them from being present. They attended these gath- 
erings in the woods, not for show, not to make a dis- 
play, nor for pastime; but to enjoy communion with 
Grod, to get their spiritual strength renewed, to make 
war on Satan's legions, and to advance Christ's king- 
dom in the world. Sometimes the sons of Belial 
caused them a little trouble, but this did not dis- 
courage or cast down. Having laid aside the busi- 
ness cares of life, and left their homes, with all their 
earthly goods, in the keeping of Him whose eye 
neither slumbers nor sleeps, and going up in the 



72 INDIANA MISCELL.. :\ i 

strengtli of Israel's God, they felt that no weapon 
formed against them could prosper. 

The time at these camp meetings was all devoted 
to worship, except what was absolutely necessary for 
eating and sleeping. None was devoted to idle or 
worldly conversation, in the tents or around the en- 
campment. Not unfrequently when the battle com- 
menced, it was continued day and night, without in- 
termission. While some slept, others kept up the 
engagement, pouring hot shot into Satan's ranks. 
This continuous fire was such, that often the stoutest 
sinners, when once brought within its range, were 
made to yield and cry for quarter, in a very short 
space of time. Sometimes, at the midnight hour, 
the Gospel battery would open anew from the stand, 
while the infantry, at various points of the encamp- 
ment, were charging the gates of hell by way of 
prayer meetings. 

In such engagements the slain of the Lord were 
many. In several instances where the battle continued 
through thenight ; as the day dawned, victory, great 
and glorious, turned on Israel's side. As the light 
of the rising sun dispelled the darkness of the night, 
the Sun of Righteousness dispelled the moral dark- 
ness from many souls, and enabled them to see their 
names inscribed in heaven. 

These camp meetings were the means of gathering 
many recruits for the army of the Lord. The mem- 
bership of the Church was greatly strengthened 
thereby. '' Camp-meeting-religion," as it has been 



CAMP MEETINGS. 73 

sometimes sneeringly called, even by some who pro- 
fess to be Christians, has stood the test of the severest 
trials. True, some who have been converted at them 
have fallen back; but a very large majority have 
stood firm, and proved steadfast. Thousands have 
gained the hights of immortality, and now sit 
down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the king- 
dom above, to go out no more. Some of the bright- 
est lights that have ever shone in the Church, min- 
isters and laymen, were awakened and converted at 
camp meetings. 

The closing exercises of these, " feasts of taberna- 
cles," were always most solemn and afi"ecting. A 
procession of the members of the Church, headed by 
all the ministers present, with all serious persons 
falling in, marched around the encampment a few 
times, singing appropriate songs ; the full chorus of 
every voice rose and swelled, while ever and anon 
loud halleluias would roll up from hearts too full to 
refrain any longer. A prayer was then ofiered, 
all in the procession kneeling. At its close the 
preachers took a position, when the procession mov- 
ing on, all shook hands with them, bidding them 
farewell. With many, this was a last farewell. 
The eyes that did not weep on these occasions, at 
witnessing such a scene, were incapable of tears. 

All having bidden the preachers farewell, the 
benediction was pronounced, when these children of 
the Most High separated, some of them to meet no 

more till called from labor to reward, the people 

7 



74 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

returning to their homes, and the ministers to their 
.distant fields of labor. 

A camp meeting was held in what was then Dear- 
born, now Wayne county, about a mile south-east of 
where Salisbury was afterward laid out, in August 
or September, 1810. This was perhaps the first 
camp meeting held in Indiana. The country being 
new, and the inhabitants few, the number of persons 
in attendance was not large, but it was a time of 
power and great glory. A goodly number of the 
unconverted who attended this meeting were, before 
its close, happily brought to a knowledge of sins 
forgiven. The conversions were clear and satisfac- 
tory. Thomas Nelson and Samuel H. Thompson 
were the preachers on the circuit, and John Sale 
was the presiding elder. So far as we know, not a 
man or woman who attended this camp meeting is 
now living. Time's rolling stream has borne them 
all away. 

From this place the camp meetings were moved 
farther east, to the land belonging to Kev. Hugh 
Cull, where they were continued for several years. 

We would like to trace the history of camp meet- 
ings in Indiana had we the means of so doing. As 
the country improved and the number of circuits 
increased, almost every part of the State has wit- 
nessed the success of these instrumentalities for the 
accomplishment of good. No instrumentalities have 
ever been used by the Church which accomplished 
so much good in the same length of time and at the 



CAMP MEETINGS. 75 

same cost. The advancement of the country in age, 
wealth, refinement, and the increase of the number 
of churches are not sufficient reasons to justify the 
laying them aside. At a camp meeting persons are 
kept under a religious influence as they can not be 
in a meeting held in a church in town or country. 
Often persons are awakened while at church, but go 
out and again mix with the unholy throng in the 
town or city and shake off their convictions, when, 
if they had been at a camp meeting and remained 
within the religious atmosphere there they would 
have yielded their stubborn hearts, sought and 
found mercy. 

The Church is losing much by abandoning this 
means of grace, which has been so successful in the 
salvation of precious souls. When the country was 
new Methodists esteemed it a light matter to take 
their families in a wagon and travel twenty or thirty 
miles to a camp meeting. Now the facilities for 
traveling are such that the people, with but little 
labor, could travel forty or fifty miles with much 
less fatigue. As a general thing, to spend a week 
in the grove at a camp meeting in a pleasant season 
of the year, is conducive to physical health. Cer- 
tainly no Christian can spend a few days at a 
properly-conducted camp meeting without being 
spiritually revived and strengthened. 



76 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER IX. 

FURTHEE SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS OF THE EARLY 
SETTLEMENT OF INDIANA. 

The first settlers were brave, fearless men and 
women, true to each other. The privations to which 
they were subjected, and the dangers with which 
they were surrounded, served as so many bonds in 
uniting them as a band of brothers and sisters. 

When the war of ''12" and '"13," as it has 
been called, came on, the people of each settlement 
erected a fort at the cabin of some one of them, 
into which they gathered for safety. These forts, 
or stockades, were made of two rows of split tim- 
bers, some twelve or fourteen feet long, planted 
firmly in the ground, inclosing more or less ground, 
as the necessity demanded. There were large gates, 
made of hewn timbers of from three to six inches in 
thickness. Small cabins were erected inside the 
stockades for the accommodation of the families. 
Usually one block-house was built in each fort. 
These block-houses were two stories high, the upper 
story projecting over the lower, say two feet, with 
port-holes in the floor of the projection, so that the 
men could see to shoot the Indians if they suc- 
ceeded in getting to the walls of the block-house. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 77 

There were likewise port-holes in the wall in the 
upper and lower stories, through which shooting of 
much execution could be performed as the foe was 
advancing. 

Though five, ten, or more families, composed of 
children, from young men and women down to nurs- 
ing babes, occupied these block-houses, it was a rare 
occurrence for any serious difficulty to arise among 
them. Sometimes provisions were scarce, but usu- 
ally they had plenty of meat. All the men were 
excellent hunters — some of them real experts. The 
country abounding in game, they kept the forts 
well supplied with venison and bear-meat. 

Hunting, however, at this time was extremely 
hazardous, the woods being alive with Indians ; but 
the hunters always kept a sharp look-out. So well 
trained and accustomed to forest life were they, 
that they could pass through the woods as noise- 
lessly as the Indians. 

When considered at all admissible to venture 
outside the fort to labor, the men went in com- 
pany, taking their trusty rifles with them. While 
some performed the work, clearing the ground, 
making rails, building fence, or plowing, as the 
case might be, others stood alternating as sentinels 
to watch for the approach of their savage foe. 
They worked one day on the land of one man, and 
the next on that of another, and so on till they got 
round. 

The women of those days were "helps" meet for 



78 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

their husbands, willing to endure any privation, and 
assist them in the performance of any labor. Some 
of them could handle the rifle with great skill, and 
bring down the game in the absence of their hus- 
bands, especially when, as was often the case, the 
deer made their appearance near the cabin. They 
would have shot an Indian, if need be, without a 
moment's hesitation. At the commencement of the 
war of 1812-1813, a fort was built at the cabin of 
George Smith, about two miles from where the city 
of Eichmond now stands. All the families of the 
neighborhood moved into this fort. At one period, 
when the alarm caused by Indian depredations had 
measurably subsided, the men ventured out to 
work without their rifles. One day they were all 
at work about a mile from the fort. In the after- 
noon the dogs from the fort commenced a fierce 
barking in the thick woods on the path leading 
to the spot where the men were at work. The 
women concluded there were Indians in ambush 
there, waylaying the path for the purpose of mas- 
sacring their husbands on their return from work 
in the evening. They held a council and determ- 
ined to go out and reconnoiter, and if Indians 
were there attack them and drive them away. 
They selected one of their number to act as cap- 
tain, and another one to stay with the children and 
open the gate of the fort to them in case they were 
driven back by the Indians. They formed in the 
fort, each woman taking her husband's gun, shot- 



EAELY SETTLEMENT. 79 

poucli, and hunting-knife, tlien marched out in sin- 
gle file. On reaching the woods a short distance 
from the fort they deployed to the right of the 
path and entered the spice-bushes, which grew so 
thickly a beast could scarcely get through them. 
They proceeded cautiously, the captain a little in 
advance of the skirmish line. Advancing slowly, 
they reached the place where the dogs were, and 
discovered that they were barking at some Indian 
ponies. Reconnoitering till satisfied that there were 
no Indians there, they ventured out into the path, 
marched back to the fort, and hung up their guns. 
Many incidents might be recorded showing the 
bravery of the women who assisted their husbands 
in clearing away the forest in Indiana and in con- 
tending with the red men of the woods. Here is 
another one : There had been quite an alarm at 
the fort for several days, caused by signs of Indians 
observed by the hunters while out in search of 
game. The alarm caused the men in the fort to 
increase their vigilance. For several days and 
nights they kept sentinels constantly posted, expect- 
ing an attack. While some stood as sentinels the 
others slept with their guns in their arms, ready 
for action at a moment's warning. A few nights, 
had passed and no assault was made. Their fears 
began measurably to subside. One night the men 
placed on guard, being overcome from loss of sleep, 
lay down at their port-holes, and were soon utterly 
unconscious. Every one in the fort, save Mrs, 



80 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Smith, who was watching with a sick child, was 
sound asleep. A little after midnight some dogs 
that had been left outside the fort commenced a 
furious barking at the far side' of a small meadow, 
in the edge of the woods, full twenty-five rods dis- 
tant from the fort. Mrs. Smith went to the senti- 
nels and found them asleep. She made some effort 
to awake them, but they were not easily aroused. 
She concluded to go out and reconnoiter and see if 
she could ascertain what the dogs were barking at. 
The night was quite dark, there being no moon and 
but little starlight. She opened one of the gates 
of the fort and passed out. Moving stealthily along 
under the shadow of a fence till she reached the 
woods, then slowly and cautiously approaching the 
place where the dogs were, she discovered that 
they were baying some animal which fled at her 
approach. She returned to the fort, passed in, re- 
fastened the gate, and watched with her sick child 
till morning, when she related her exploit, telling 
the men if she had been an Indian she could have 
massacred them all while they slept. 

In the first settlement of the country, from the 
dimness of the paths which led from one settle- 
ment to another, and the density of the forests, 
the people frequently lost their way and became 
bewildered. It was not uncommon to hear at night 
the cry of some one lost in the woods. Most of 
the settlers kept a trumpet. When the distant 
cry of some one so lost in the forest was heard 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 81 

at a cabin, the trumpet was blown as a signal to 
the bewildered that they were heard, and for them 
to direct their course thither. In the stillness 
of the night one hstllooing in the woods would be 
heard at a great distance. Sometimes persons 
were lost for a day and night, and now and then 
some were lost and never found. 

Miss Patsy Odell started one afternoon on horse- 
back to go from one settlement to another some 
nine miles distant. Night coming on before she 
reached her destination, she lost the path upon 
which she was traveling. The night was dark, and 
the undergrowth in the woods was so closely matted 
that it was difficult for her to make any headway. 
After striving for some time to regain the path, 
finding herself completely bewildered she gave it 
up as a hopeless case; she hallooed at the top of 
her voice for a long time, but she was too far from 
any human habitation to be heard. At last she 
was brought to realize that she was lost in the 
wild woods, and would have to spend the night 
alone. Wolves were howling around her in every 
direction. Her greatest care now was to find, if 
possible, some place where she might be secure 
from them. After wandering about in the dark- 
ness for a time she came upon a high log; she suc- 
ceeded in getting from her horse to the top of it, 
where she sat, holding him by the reins till morn- 
ing. When morning came she could determine 
nothing as to her whereabouts or what course to 



82 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

steer to find a settlement. She sat upon the log 
ruminating on her forlorn condition till the sun had 
mounted high in the heavens. At length she con- 
cluded to try her horse, and see if he would take 
her out of the wilderness. Accordingly she re- 
mounted and gave him the rein. He wandered 
about for some time, appearing to be in a maze. 
At last he struck upon a course, and after traveling 
some miles brought her out safely at her father's 
cabin. 

Some persons when lost in the woods soon be- 
come so frightened as not to be able for a time to 
recognize their most intimate friends. Those who 
have never suffered the experience can scarcely 
form an idea of the terrible feeling, the dreadful 
fright that comes upon a person when lost in the 
wilderness. In some instances the lost one has be- 
come partially wild in a short space of time. In 
1810 a lady on the frontier, in what is now Wayne 
county, had her cabin on the outside of the settle- 
ment, near the land belonging to the Indians. She 
had been to a neighbor's cabin on an errand and 
started for home a little before sundown. Night 
closed in, however, before she was in sight of her 
home, and the darkness became so dense that she 
could not follow the path. In a short time she 
became so confused that she knew not which way 
to go. This caused her great alarm. She com- 
menced calling for help, her terror increasing every 
moment. Her husband, who had grown uneasy at 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 83 

her stay, started out on the path with a torch to 
meet her. Hearing her calling at some distance 
from the path, he answered her, but she was so 
much alarmed that she did not recognize his voice, 
and made off in an opposite direction, thinking the 
voice she heard was that of an Indian. Her hus- 
band pursued her as rapidly as possible, still call- 
ing. He could hear her running through the 
bushes, which enabled him to follow her. The flight 
and pursuit having been thus continued for some 
distance, her husband overtook her, when she gave 
up, supposing she was captured by an Indian. So 
frightened was she that she was trembling from 
head to foot, and did not recognize her husband till 
he took hold of her. Her alarm at finding herself 
lost deprived her of self-possession. 



84 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER X. 

CHEISTOPHER RODDY. 

We do not present the subject of this sketch as 
a pious man, nor because of his great worthiness, 
but to show the sternness of character possessed by- 
some of the men who first settled Indiana. Chris- 
topher Roddy was a very wicked man, but having 
been a Revolutionary soldier was honored and 
treated with respect by the people. He sometimes 
drank spirituous liquor to excess, and he had indulged 
in profanity and other wicked practices till he was 
hardened in sin. He had fought through the whole 
seven years of the Revolutionary war. During his 
long service in that war he had contracted his 
habits of profanity and intemperance. He was so 
wicked the pious had but little hope of his ever 
becoming religious, of his salvation. The most of 
them gave him up as a hopeless case. 

The writer will never forget the impression made 
upon his mind in his boyhood when, while some 
pious acquaintances were conversing with Mr. 
Eoddy and endeavoring to persuade him to cease 
sinning and to seek God in the pardon of his sins, 
he exclaimed: ''It is of no use; there is no salvation 
for me. I believe my damnation sealed as surely 



CHEISTOPHER RODDY. 85 

as if I was now in hell." This startled the men 
who were talking with him. They inquired the 
reason of his so expressing himself. He answered : 
'' Time was when I had a desire to be saved — when I 
went to the place of worship ; I loved to go there — 
when my heart was melted under the preaching of 
the Gospel — when I could shed tears at human sor- 
row and woe — when I felt the drawings of God's 
spirit and desired to get to heaven; but, for ten long 
years I have had no desire to be religious; for ten 
long years I have not visited the place of worship, 
and have no desire to do so; for ten long years I 
have had no tender emotion, no tears have dropped 
from my eyes, however great the sorrow of those 
around me, nor have I felt the drawings of God's 
spirit. I do n't want to go to heaven. God knows the 
flames of hell will be a refuge for me if they will 
hut hide me from his presence." While the old man 
uttered these fearful declarations his eyes seemed to 
flash fire, and every muscle in his body quivered. 

Does not this case show that there is a point in 
sin beyond which one may go whence there is no 
return? Yes, there is danger of judicial abandon- 
ment. This man's great wickedness consisted in his 
profanity and intemperance — in having slighted of- 
fered mercy and resisted the strivings of the Holy 
Spirit, and in ''Treasuring up unto himself wrath 
against the day of wrath, and the revelation of 
God's righteous judgment." 

Mr. Eoddy emigrated with his family to the Ter- 



86 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

ritory of Indiana, and settled in wliat is now 
Wayne county in the year 1810 or 1811. He was 
considered an honest man, though, as before stated, 
a very wicked one. He was capable of enduring a 
great amount of fatigue — was far removed from 
cowardice — was never known to quail before an 
enemy or danger — was somewhat eccentric, and al- 
ways accomplished what he undertook if it was 
within the range of possibility. 

"While Koddy was a non-commissioned officer in 
the army of the Revolution, on one occasion he gave 
a mortal affront to a second lieutenant who chal- 
lenged him to fight a duel. By the ''code of 
honor" the challenged party had the right to 
choose the weapons, the place, and mode of fight- 
ing. Roddy accepted the challenge, and chose a 
heavy cavalry saber for his antagonist and a shoe- 
maker's pegging awl for himself. The place of fight- 
ing was to be a large brick oven. The fight was 
not to commence till both were fairly in the oven. 
The idea was so novel and ridiculous that his an- 
tagonist withdrew the challenge, abandoned the 
fight, and there the matter ended. 

Not long after the county-seat of Wayne county 
had been removed from Salisbury to Centerville, a 
colored man by the name of Pitt was convicted for 
murder and condemned to be hung. After sentence 
was pronounced Pitt engaged another colored man, 
by giving him his horse, to take charge of his body 
after he was executed, he seeing that it was decently 



CHEISTOPHER RODDY. 87 

interred. This colored man secured possession of 
Pitt's horse, and then, in advance of the execution, 
sold his body for ten dollars to two physicians for 
the purpose of dissection, and left the country. 
This fact came to the knowledge of Pitt while con- 
fined in prison. He sent for Poddy and requested 
him to take charge of his body after execution, and 
not to let the physicians have it. Koddy agreed to 
do so, and pledged himself to Pitt that his wishes 
should be faithfully and sacredly regarded. When 
the day of execution arrived Poddy was on hand 
with a coffin, upon a sled, and the physicians w^ere 
on hand with a wagon, without a coffin. When 
Pitt's dead body was cut down from the gallows by 
the sheriff, Eoddy seized hold of it and so did the 
physicians. A long and hard struggle ensued, but 
Eoddy triumphed. He took the body away from 
the physicians, put it in the coffin upon his sled, 
and conveyed it to his home in Salisbury, where he 
guarded it through the night. The next day he 
buried it. Fearing the physicians would find out 
where the interment had taken place, he disinterred 
the body the next night, removed it from the coffin 
and carried it on his shoulder some seven miles and 
buried it in the woods. The next day he cut down 
all the forest trees he could make fall on the grave, 
and left it under that mags of timber. He kept his 
word, and the physicians never obtained possession 
of the body. Such was Eoddy's determined char- 
acter ; such his perseverance in whatever he under- 



88 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

took. Had he embraced religion in bis youth and 
lived a pious life he might have accomplished good, 
and might have died in peace, but his life was a 
stormy one, his old age melancholy, and the day of 
his death dark. 



THREE FEIENDS. 89 



CHAPTER XI. 

THREE FRIENDS. 

W. C, J. J., and T. C. were pioneers in Indiana, 
and settled contiguous to each other. Having been 
born and brought up in the same neighborhood, in 
one of the ohi States, they formed an attachment for 
each other in boyhood, which continued through life. 
Unfortunately all three grew up to manhood without 
religious training or restraint. They were taught 
to be honest and industrious, nothing more; the 
truths of Christianity were spoken of by their asso- 
ciates in youth only in derision; hence, in riper years, 
they had respect neither for religion nor religious 
people. They were men of rugged physical frames, 
brave and daring, kind and accommodating to their 
frontier neighbors. Not allowing themselves to be 
brought under religious restraint, they had no rev- 
erence for the Divine Being. The race of these 
men was short. The youngest of the three, T. C, 
was called first to struggle, single-handed and 
alone, with the grim monster. His attack was sud- 
den, the disease malignant and rapid in its progress. 
He was soon brought down to death's door. When 
eternity, with all its dread realities, was just before 
him, he was awakened to a sense of his condition. 



90 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

He saw hell opening to receive him, his sins rising 
like mountains to heaven, and calling loudly for 
Divine vengeance, v^hile the frowns of the Al- 
mighty, red with wrath, were poured upon him. 
He was greatly alarmed. The agony of his mind 
was such as to cause him to lose all sensibility of 
his physical suiferings. His whole care was how he 
might "escape the death that never, never dies." 

Though unused to prayer, he called mightily upon 
God for mercy. One or two pious women pointed 
him to the Savior, as well as they could, and poured 
out their souls in earnest supplication to God that 
he would have mercy' upon him and save him from 
dropping into the bottomless pit. 

This dying man now warned his two friends, who 
were with him to administer to his bodily comfort, 
that their infidel notions were false, that their course 
in life would not do, and besought them to lead 
new lives and prepare for death. 

Struggling in deep penitency and earnest prayer 
for some hours, a great change was wrought. Sud- 
denly he commenced praising the Lord, declaring 
that he felt his sins forgiven, and was now ready to 
depart. Though his sufferings had been such as to 
reduce him to great weakness, when this change 
took place his strength revived. He arose from his 
bed, despite the efforts of his friends to prevent 
him, and walked the room, praising God, declaring 
what great things he had done for him, exhorting 
all in the room to prepare for death. When his 



THREE FRIENDS. 91 

strength failed, and he could continue no longer, he 
laid down upon his bed again, and in a few moments 
his voice was hushed in death. 

This made some impression upon the two surviv- 
ing friends. They were much astonished at the 
closing hours of their departed companion, but did 
not change their course in life nor renounce their 
infidelity. 

A short time after the death of T. C, one of the 
other two, J. J., was suddenly taken ill, and in a 
few days closed his eyes in death. After he was 
attacked with disease he was much disturbed in 
mind. When he saw himself just on the bank of 
the river that separates time and eternity, he had 
feelings such as he had not experienced before. 
His sentiments in regard to man's accountability to 
his Maker underwent a great change. He re- 
nounced his infidelity, and sent word to his friend, 
W. C, that ''Paine's Age of Eeason," and other infi- 
del writings, had been his ruin, and besought him 
to cease reading them. He died, however, without 
making any profession of religion, leaving to his 
friends no well-grounded hope of his future bliss. 

It was not long after the death of J. J. till the 
other friend, W. C, was attacked with a lingering 
disease, which brought him slowly down to the 
grave. During his long-continued suffering he had 
much time for reflection. He dwelt much upon the 
death of his two former friends, the strange change 
wrought upon one, his rejoicing in a dying hour, 



92 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

and the last solemn message sent him by .the other. 
It was a hard struggle for him to give up his infi- 
del principles; it was hard for him to consent to 
die — to pass into a world to him unknown, one 
about which he had thought but little during the 
whole course of his life. But death was inexora- 
ble. Step by step he was brought down to the cold 
stream. When standing upon the margin, just 
ready to dip his feet in Jordan's waters, he gave up 
his cherished principles, and acknowledged man's 
responsibility to his Maker. He manifested a de- 
sire to converse on the subject of religion. On one 
Sabbath day several persons had called to see him, 
among them Mr. B., who had been an associate of 
his for some years. In their conversation the sick 
and dying man informed his friend of the strug- 
gle of mind he had passed through, and that he 
had renounced his former principles, assuring him 
that he now believed man was an accountable being, 
and would have to give an account to God for all 
his actions in this life. Mr. B. still contended for 
their old infidel notions. The conversation contin- 
ued till Mr. C, finding his strength failing, and per- 
ceiving he had made little or no impression upon his 
friend, with deep emotion said: ''Well, my friend, 
when you are brought low down upon a death-bed, 
you will then know who rules; you will not think 
then as you do now.''' Here the conversation ended. 
Mr» W. 0. lingered about one year from the time 
he was taken ill. He made no profession of Chris- 



THKEE FRIENDS. 93 

tianity before liis death. In the prime of life these 
three friends were taken away, each leaving a 
young family. Some of their children are yet liv- 
ing, respected. A son of one of them is now in the 
Congress of the United States. 

We have introduced these three men as a warn- 
ing to parents and young men. They were honest, 
industrious citizens, but wicked men, and wielded 
a bad influence upon those with whom they associ- 
ated. Had they been trained religiously — had good 
seed been sown in their hearts in early life, and 
had they shunned infidel authors, the probabilities 
are they would have lived useful lives, died happy 
deaths, and found a home in heaven. The happy 
death of the one is but a manifestation of God's 
amazing mercy, and not to be taken as an encour- 
agement to procrastinate repentance to a dying hour. 

Parents, ''train your children in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord." Young men, avoid 
reading infidel books as you would deadly poison. 



94 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

GEORGE JULIAN. 

The subject of tliis sketch was a native of Vir- 
ginia, born and brought up among the mountains. 
His education was limited. Having been reared 
among the mountains, accustomed to much physical 
exercise, he was, when in his prime, a man of great 
muscular power. He was early trained to hunting, 
and became so skilled in taking game that none 
surpassed him in that department of a mountaineer's 
life. No man loved adventure more than he. He 
was always in his element when in the woods with 
his gun and hunting apparatus. We have heard 
him say, the happiest days of his life and the best 
living he ever enjoyed were, when all alone among 
the mountains of Virginia he was bear-hunting. 
He would take his knapsack filled with corn-meal, 
a little salt, his gun, tomahawk, and hunting-knife, 
go into the mountains and spend two weeks alone. 
He would kill a fat bear, bring it in to his camp in 
the evening, take off the skin, spread it upon the 
ground with the flesh side up, pour some corn-meal 
upon it, put in some salt, mix the meal with the oil 
upon the skin without the use of water, then put 



GEOEGE JULIAN. 95 

the dough in the fire and "bake it. While his bread 
was baking he would cut out some of the choice' 
pieces of the bear, salt them well, put them upon 
sticks, and place them before the fire to roast. 
When his bread was sufiiciently baked he would 
take it from the fire. Upon this and his roasted 
bear-meat he made his supper. This, he said, '' was 
the best dish any man ever partook of." He was 
converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church when a youth, and lived and died a faithful 
member. He emigrated to the Territory of Indiana 
in 1809, and settled in what is now Wayne county. 
He was advanced in life when he emigrated. He 
was of great service to the inhabitants of the fort 
built in the neighborhood where he settled. Though 
all the men were good hunters, he was chief among 
the chiefest. He seldom failed to bring down his' 
game when he fired his faithful rifle. 

He was a sweet singer, able in prayer, and a 
good class-leader. On funeral occasions. Grand- 
father Julian, as he was familiarly called, frequently 
officiated — there being no minister residing within 
many miles. The usual services on such an occasion 
were singing and prayer at the house before start- 
ing to the grave, and as the procession marched to 
the place of interment, an appropriate hymn was 
sung, and at the grave another hymn, in which all 
joined, followed by prayer. On one occasion, at 
the funeral of a child, Mr. Julian sung a hymn so 
exceedingly appropriate that some Friend-Quakers 



96 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

who were present thought he composed it by inspi- 
ration as he proceeded. 

Some years after the close of the war, a circum- 
stance occurred which involved the old man in deep 
sorrow, and compelled him to give up his little 
home, where he had fondly hoped to have spent the 
remnant of his days. A son, an only child by his 
second wife, grew up a bad boy, indulging in many 
vicious habits. When this son was about seventeen 
years of age, three of his associates were spending 
a Sunday afternoon with him at his father's house, 
his parents being from home. Young Julian left 
the three boys standing in the yard and entered 
the house, closing the door after him. In a few 
moments one of the boys, whose name was Owens, 
left the others and started to pass through an open 
space between the house young Julian had entered, 
and another which stood near by. As he was en- 
tering the open space he saw young Julian with a 
gun presented — the door being partly open — as if 
about to shoot. Before he could say ''don't shoot," 
the gun discharged, and he fell pierced by a ball 
which entered his side, passing into his bowels. As 
soon as the gun fired, young Julian pitched it into 
the loft of the cabin, and ran out, saying: "I 
thought it was nothing but a wad." Young Owens 
lived till the next morning, when he expired. 
Young Julian was arrested and thrown into jail. 
When court came on he was indicted for murder. 
The father employed General James Noble, one of 



GEORaE JULIAN. 97 

the ablest lawyers in the State, to defend his son. 
The State's attorney was James B. Ray, then in his 
prime, who was afterward Governor of Indiana. 
The case was ably conducted on the part of the 
prosecution and the defense. The plea of "acci- 
dental shooting" was put in on the part of the 
defense, and on that ground the jury acquitted 
young Julian. The old gentleman had to sell his 
home to pay the fees of his lawyer and other 
incidental expenses attending the trial. He then 
moved to Flat Rock, in Rush county, where he 
ended his days. He did not long survive this af- 
fair, which brought his gray hairs down to the 
grave with sorrow. He was a good man, respected 
by all who knew him. 

9 



98 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

METHODIST EXHORTERS. 

At an early day in Indiana exhorters were of 
great service to the Church. They held meetings 
on the holy Sabbath, and often at night during the 
week. They were remarkably efficient in conduct- 
ing prayer meetings and in leading the classes. 
They frequently held two days' meetings. On these 
occasions no attempts were made to preach, but in- 
stead, exhortations of live, burning pathos were de- 
livered that told with marvelous power upon the 
hearts of the people. Preachers being scarce, the 
settlers were glad to have the exhorters come 
among them and lead their devotions. Their usual 
manner of conducting a two days' meeting was to 
have two or three stirring exhortations in quick 
succession, then to set out a '^mourner's bench," 
invite penitents forward and go into a general 
prayer meeting. Almost always the shouts of new- 
born souls were heard before these exercises closed. 
On Sabbath morning a general class meeting was 
held. These were ^' times of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord." At these class meetings, 
and on love-feast occasions, a door-keeper was ap- 
pointed who admitted none but members of the 



METHODIST EXHORTERS. 99 

Churcli and those who were truly serious on the 
subject of their salvation. Persons not Methodists 
were always conversed with at the door by the 
door-keeper, and if found penitent, and would 
promise to conform to the rules of the love-feast 
or general class meeting, were admitted, provided 
still further that they had not enjoyed the privilege 
more than two or three times, or if they had would 
now promise to unite with the Church. These 
meetings were select. The pious, when thus sepa- 
rated and shut in from the world, felt at liberty to 
speak freely of their Christian experience, all being 
in sympathy one with another. While one was 
speaking, fervent prayer was ascending from all in 
the house. Then were hearts melted, then did 
their hearts glow and burn with sacred fire. Here 
the strong were made stronger, the weak were 
strengthened, and often penitents were converted. 
Of these times and places many could sing: 

" sacred hour ! hallowed spot ! 
Where love divine first found me; 
Wherever falls my distant lot 
My heart shall linger round thee." 

The exhorters who assisted in building up the 
Methodist Church in Indiana were a pious and use- 
ful class of men. They filled their places in Im- 
manuel's ranks well, and deserve to be remembered. 

There were no Church periodicals in those days in 
which to publish obituary notices of those who fell 
with jthdr armor on. Many of them now sleep in 



100 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

forgotten graves, with no stone to mark the spot 
where their ashes repose, but their record is on 
high. We will present brief sketches of a few of 
them: 

Hardy Cain was a fine singer, and did much to 
move and melt the hearts of the people by his 
songs. His voice was musical. He was also very 
able in prayer, successful in laboring with penitents, 
faithful and gifted in exhortation. He was useful 
as an exhorter, and in that capacity did much good. 
In this exercise, as soon as he began to grow warm, 
he commenced rubbing his face with his hands. As 
his feelings arose he would grasp his ears with both 
hands and then pour forth his soul in exhortation 
in such a way as to affect the whole congregation. 
In class meeting he was in his element. Few men 
were more successful in leading than he. After 
exercising his gifts as an exhorter for a number of 
years he was licensed to preach, and filled the place 
of a local preacher, and continued otherwise a faith- 
ful toiler in his Master's work, till he was called 
home to receive his reward. 

James Honley was a man of fine appearance, and 
had a voice of trumpet tone. He could be heard 
at a great distance, and his tones always fell pleas- 
antly on the ear. His exhortations were uniformly 
solemn, and produced a deep impression upon the 
heart and mind. The people heard him with de- 
light. He was exemplary in his life, steadfast in 
piety, respected by the people, and did much good. 



METHODIST EXHORTERS. 101 

Though but an exhorter, he will, doubtless, have 
stars in the crown of his rejoicing. 

Mr. Miller was a man of small stature, of quick 
motion, and very zealous in all his religious devo- 
tions. He had a clear, shrill voice, which some- 
times seemed to electrify the people. When he 
prayed, the heavens were opened and streams of 
salvation came down upon the congregation. His 
countenance indicated that -he was a man that lived 
near the foot of the cross — one who held constant 
communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
He was pathetic in exhortation, moving his hearers 
to tears. He has long since crossed the river and 
entered into rest. His son. Rev. Charles W. Miller, 
has been an itinerant Methodist preacher for twenty- 
six years, and is now a member of the North Indi- 
ana Conference. 

Spencer. — This brother, though a mulatto, is wor- 
thy to be named and remembered. He was born a 
slave, and was compelled to wear the galling chain 
till some time after he had grown to manhood. He 
was known by one name only — Spencer. His mind, 
naturally strong, would have shone with brilliancy, 
had the advantages of education been his. Despite, 
however, the crushing slave power, he could read, 
and had acquired quite a fund of knowledge. By 
the blessing of a kind Providence he was liberated 
from bondage, and at a very early day came to 
Indiana with some of his friends, who settled in 
Wayne county. No exhorter, in all the region 



102 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

round about, was more popular than Spencer. He 
had a talent for the work of a high order. The 
people were glad at all times to see him make his 
appearance among them when met for worship. He 
was often called upon to exhort after the traveling 
preachers had preached. His voice was most melo- 
dious — sweet as the sound of the dulcimer. He 
would sometimes set a whole congregation on fire 
by singing one of his favorite songs, such as, 

"Hark! listen to the trumpeters! 
They sound for volunteers; 
On Zion's bright and flowery mount 
Behold the ofiicers!" 



And 



Hark! brethren; do 'nt you hear the sound? 
The martial trumpet now is blowing," 



' Sweet rivers of redeeming love 
Lie just before my eyes." 



He seldom failed to move and stir the congregation. 
Sometimes the tide of feeling rose so high that his 
voice was drowned in the general rejoicing of the 
people. Many years since, after a long and painful 
illness, his sufferings ended, and in holy triumph he 
bade the world adieu. 

John Doddridge. — Mr. Doddridge emigrated to 
Indiana when it was a Territory. He settled in 
what was afterward called "Doddridge's neighbor- 
hood," six miles south of Centerville, Wayne county. 
He was not a learned man, but a very successful 
exhorter, and full of the Holy Ghost. He was 



METHODIST EXHORTERS. 103 

always on hand at quarterly and two days' meetings, 
ready to act his part. He delighted to labor with 
penitents, and few had greater success in that par- 
ticular work. Being deeply experienced in the 
things of God he knew well how to point the heavy- 
laden to the Lamb for sinners slain. 

A large and flourishing class was organized in his 
neighborhood, and a log meeting-house erected 
which was known far and near as Doddridge's 
meeting-house. For several years camp-meetings 
were held on his land. On these occasions he was 
always in the front rank of Immanuel's host. His 
voice, as he shouted to the onset, could be heard 
high above the noise of the battle. After he had 
resided in Indiana ten or fifteen years he received 
intelligence concerning a sister older than himself, 
but whom he had never seen. She had been cap- 
tured in Virginia by the Indians when a small girl, 
before he was born. The Doddridge family had 
received no tidings of this lost child from the period 
when she was carried ofi" till now. They supposed 
she had been dead many years. When Mr. Dod- 
dridge received information of her being still alive 
he went to the Indian nation and saw his sister. 
She was now old, and had lived so long among the 
Indians that she would not leave them and return 
to her relatives. 

John Doddridge was a good man, and ''fought a 
good fight, finished his course," and has been 
crowned with eternal life. 



104 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MORAL HEROINES. 

There were many pious females among the early 
settlers who were Christian heroines in the true and 
full sense of the word. Having left their native 
States and accompanied their husbands to the Ter- 
ritory, when it was nought but a howling wilder- 
ness, they had proved themselves to be helpmeets 
for the men who braved the dangers of a frontier 
life. Not only were they resolute to endure the 
hardships and privations to which they were exposed 
in the wilderness, from ferocious beasts and cruel, 
savage men, but were equally bold in the Christian 
warfare. They were ever found by the side of their 
husbands on every moral battle-field, fighting for 
the Lord. Many of them could sing with a voice 
that, in its heavenly sweetness, never failed to charm 
the ear and melt the heart. While their ''hands 
held the distaff," or while they plied the shuttle or 
the needle, their voices were tuned to sweetest melody. 

They were neither ashamed nor afraid to pray in 
the public congregation. Though they felt the 
cross, they boldly took it up and bore it aloft in 
the sight of all the people. When they drew near 
to God in prayer, and by faith took hold of the 



MORAL HEROINES. 105 

liorns of the altar, heaven opened, light shined, 
salvation came down, and the gates of hell were 
made to tremble. Women who cultivate their 
talents are peculiarly gifted in prayer; this seems 
to be their special calling. We have heard some 
women pray with an eloquence and power surpass- 
ing any thing that ever fell from the lips of man. 
These moral heroines usually accompanied their 
husbands to two days' and quarterly meetings. 
Some of them thought it no hardship, after having 
performed their daily toil, to walk four miles along 
an Indian-trace to a week-night prayer meeting. 
They delighted in the privileges of the class-room. 
When mourners were at the '' mourner's bench " 
these faithful women were among them pointing 
them to the Savior of sinners. In love-feasts they 
acted well their part. One after another they would 
arise, and stand with streaming eyes and glowing 
countenances while they spoke of their penitential 
sorrow ; of the joyful hour when first they felt a 
Savior's pardoning love; of the deliverances God 
had wrought out for them ; of how religion had 
sustained them when called to leave, in a distant 
land, the graves of loved ones, and make their 
homes in the wilderness, and then of their pros- 
pects of joining the blood- washed throng in the 
land of light and bliss, where there shall be no 
more sighing. These holy mothers so deeply im- 
pressed themselves upon their sons and. daughters 
that their memory will ^' be ever fresh and green." 



106 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

The authorities of Indiana have published the ''Eoll 
of Honor," giving the names of those brave men 
who went forth under the stars and stripes to fight 
for their country in the k\te cruel, bloody rebellion. 
These moral heroines are equally worthy of having 
their names recorded in the history of the Church 
in our State. They were the mothers and grand- 
mothers of many of the brave boys who so nobly 
stood for the right against treason in the hour of 
their country's peril. 

But these mothers have nearly all passed away. 
Only a few linger on these mundane shores. A few 
years more and the last one of them will be safely 
housed in their ''home beyond the tide." The old 
class-papers upon which their names were inscribed 
are lost, and we have no record of them left; never- 
theless, their names are written in the Lamb's book 
of life, and the roll will be called when Adam's 
long line shall be assembled at the judgment-seat 
of Christ. 



PROGEESS OF METHODISM. 107 



CHAPTER XY. 

PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN THE STATE. 

In the year 1819 the work in Indiana was so 
arranged as to place the circuits in two Annual 
Conferences, namely, the Ohio and Missouri, and to 
form three districts, namely, the Lebanon and Mi- 
ami, in the Ohio Conference, and the Illinois in the 
Missouri Conference. There were three new circuits 
formed, which appear upon the Minutes this year 
for the first time, namely, Madison, Indian Creek, 
and Harrison. 

The circuits were placed in districts as follows: 
Whitewater in Lebanon district, with Moses Crume 
presiding elder ; Lawrenceburg and Madison, in Mi- 
ami district, with John Sale presiding elder; and 
Silver Creek, Indian Creek, Blue Hiver, Harrison, 
Vincennes, Patoka, and Pigeon, in Illinois district, 
with Jesse Hale presiding elder. 

Allen Wiley and Zachariah Connell were sent to 
Whitewater circuit, Benjamin Lawrence to Law- 
renceburg, John T. Kent to Madison, David Sharp 
to Silver Creek, William Mavity to Indian Creek, 
John Pownal to Blue River, William Medford to 
Harrison, John Cord to Vincennes, John Wallace 
and Daniel M'Henry to Patoka and Pigeon. This 



108 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

was a year of considerable prosperity. The whole 
number of members in Indiana was three thousand 
four hundred and seventy, giving an increase, for the 
year, of four hundred and twenty -six. 

In 1820 the districts and circuits were again 
changed, and supplied as follows : Miami district, Ohio 
Conference, Walter Griffith presiding elder; White- 
water circuit, Arthur W. Elliott, Samuel Brown ; 
Lawrenceburg, Benjamin Lawrence, Henry S. Fer- 
nandes ; Madison, Henry Baker, William H. Raper ; 
Indiana district, Missouri Conference, Samuel Ham- 
ilton presiding elder; Silver Creek circuit, Calvin 
Ruter, Job Baker; Indian Creek, John Shrader, 
John Everheart; Blue River, John Stewart, Josepli 
Pownal ; Patoka, John Wallace ; Vincennes, Daniel 
M'Henry. Pigeon and Harrison do not appear on 
the Minutes this year. 

This year Calvin Ruter commenced his labors in 
Indiana. He had been admitted into the Ohio Con- 
ference two years before, and was now transferred 
to the Missouri Conference. The whole number of 
members returned this year was four thousand three 
hundred and ninety-nine, giving an increase of nine 
hundred and twenty-nine. In 1821 Charlestown, 
Bloomington, Ohio, Mount Sterling, and Corydon, 
appear upon the Minutes as heads of circuits. The 
presiding elders continued upon the districts as they 
were the past year. This year James Jones was 
sent to Whitewater, John P. Durbin and James 
Collard to Lawrenceburg, Allen Wiley and William 



PEOGRESS OF METHODISM. 109 

P. Quin to Madison, Calvin Enter and William 
Cravens to Charlestown, John Scripps and Samuel 
Glaize to Blue Eiver, Daniel Chamberlin to Bloom- 
ington, Job M. Baker to Vincennes, Elias Stone to 
Patoka, John Wallace to Ohio, George V. Hester to 
Mount Sterling, and John Shrader to Corydon. The 
aggregate membership for this year was seven thou- 
sand, three hundred and fourteen. Methodism was 
now advancing rapidly in the State. 

In 1822 Allen Wiley and James T. Wells were 
sent to Whitewater, Henry Baker to Lawrence- 
burg, James Jones and James Murry to Madison, 
with Alexander Cummins for presiding elder. 
James Armstrong was sent to Charlestown, George 
K. Hester to Flat P^ock, John Wallace and Joseph 
Kinkade to Blue Eiver, John Cord to Bloomington, 
David Chamberlin to Honey Creek, John Stewart 
to Vincennes, James L. Thompson to Patoka, Eb- 
enezer Webster to Mount Sterling, John M. Baker 
to Corydon, and William Cravens to Indianapolis, 
with Samuel Hamilton for presiding elder. Indian- 
apolis now appears upon the Minutes as the head of 
a circuit for the first time. 

At the present writing, 1866, there are five 
Methodist preachers and one missionary stationed in 
Indianapolis, and the charges in the city belong to 
four Annual Conferences. The borders of Method- 
ism had rapidly enlarged. The men into whose 
hands the work had been committed were fully de- 
voted to their calling. 



110 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

In 1823 the number of circuits had increased to 
fifteen. Two new ones had been formed, Conners- 
ville and Eel Kiver. Cummins and Hamilton were 
continued as presiding elders. The appointments 
of the preachers were as follows : Whitewater, Eus- 
sel Bigelow and George Gatch; Lawrenceburg, W. 
H. Eaper; Madison, J. Stewart and Nehemiah B. 
Griffith; Connersville, James Murry and James C. 
Taylor ; Charlestown, James Armstrong ; Flat Rock, 
Dennis Willey; Blue River, William M'Reynolds 
and George K. Hester; Bloomington, John Cord; 
Honey Creek, Hackalia Vredenburgh; Vincennes, 
John Ingersoll and Job M. Baker; Patoka, Ebene- 
zer T. Webster; Mount Sterling, Stephen R. Beggs; 
Corydon, James L. Thompson; Indianapolis, James 
Scott; Eel River, William Cravens. The whole 
membership this year was seven thousand, seven 
hundred and thirty-three, giving an increase of 
four hundred and nineteen. 

In 1824 John Strange was sent to the Miami 
district as presiding elder, John Everhart and 
Levi White to Whitewater circuit, W. H. Raper 
and John Jaynes to Lawrenceburg, John F. Wright 
and Thomas Hewson to Madison, Aaron Wood to 
Connersville. 

William Beauchamp was sent to the Indiana dis- 
trict,. Missouri Conference, as presiding elder. 
Samuel Hamilton and Calvin Ruter to Charles- 
town, Thomas Rice to Flat Rock, William Cra- 
vens and Dennis Willey to Blue River, James 



PROGRESS OF METHODISM. Ill 

Armstrong to Bloomington, Samuel Hull to Honey 
Creek, Edward Smith to Vincennes, William Med- 
ford to Patoka, George K. Hester to Mount Ster- 
ling, James L. Thompson to Corydon, Jesse Hale 
and George Horn to Indianapolis, and John Cord 
to Eel Kiver. The whole number of Church mem- 
bers returned by the preachers this year was eight 
thousand, two hundred and ninety-two — an increase 
of five hundred and fifty-nine. 

In 1825 the Illinois Conference, having been or- 
ganized, embraced the whole of the State of Indi- 
ana. Five new circuits had been formed, and ap- 
pear upon the Minutes for the first time, namely, 
Eushville, Salem, Paoli, Boonville, and Mount Ver- 
non. The work in Indiana was placed in three 
districts: Madison, Indiana, and Illinois. Mount 
Vernon was the only circuit in Indiana placed in 
the Illinois district. 

John Strange was presiding elder of Madison 
district, James Armstrong of Indiana, and Samuel 
H. Thompson of Illinois. The preachers appointed 
to the circuits this year were as follows: Madi- 
son, Allen Wiley and Aaron Wood; Lawrenceburg, 
James Jones and Thomas S. Hitt; Whitewater, 
Peter Stephens and N. B. Griffith; Connersville, 
James Havens; Indianapolis, John Miller; Flat 
Rock, Thomas Hewson and James Garner; Eel 
Eiver, John Fish; Charlestown, James L. Thomp- 
son and Jacob Varner; Corydon, G. K. Hester and 
Dennis Willey; Salem, Samuel Low and Richard 



112 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Hargrave; Paoli, Edward Smith; Boonville, Orse- 
iietli Fisher; Patoka, William H. Smith and G-eorge 
Kandle; Vincennes, Edwin Bay; Honey Creek, 
Samuel Hull; Bloomington, David Anderson and 
John Cord; Mount Vernon, William Moore. 

James Havens, John Miller, Kichard Hargrave, 
William H. Smith, and Edwin Ray appear in con- 
nection with the work in Indiana this year for the 
first time. James Havens and Edwin Bay have 
finished their work, and are gone to their rest; the 
others survive. The whole number of members, 
this year was 8,900, an increase of 610. 

In 1826 considerable change was made in the 
arrangement of the work. There were four dis- 
tricts, and two stations were made, namely, Madison 
and Salem. These were the first stations formed in 
the State. 

It was a great mistake for the perpetuity of the 
itinerant system to make stations. It would have 
been better for the Church in America if we had 
adhered to the circuit system, like our fathers in 
England. Stations lose their sympathy with cir- 
cuits, and circuits with stations. The station system 
tends to do away with the office of presiding elder. 
Stations make it necessary to place many fields of 
labor in one district in order to give the presiding 
elder a sufficient support without being burdensome 
to the people. This causes his services to each field 
of labor to amount to but little, and the quarterly 
meetings to fail of creating that interest they for- 



PKOGRESS OF METHODISM. 113 

merly did. To place a minister in charge of but 
one congregation, and retain him with that for three 
years, and keep him in the same city for half a 
lifetime, is itinerancy but in name. Some sister 
Churches have as much without the name. If we 
have no stations, nothing but circuits, as in En- 
gland, the number of fields of labor in each district 
should be so reduced as to enable the presiding 
elder to give a Saturday and Sunday to each quar- 
terly meeting, and at his quarterly visits he could 
spend three or four days among the people, if need 
be, and have as many members to draw his support 
from as under our present arrangement. 

This year the preachers were appointed to the 
work as follows : Madison district, John Strange, 
presiding elder; Madison station, Samuel Basset; 
Madison circuit, George K. Hester; Lawrenceburg, 
James L. Thompson ; Whitewater, James Havens ; 
Connersville, JSTehemiah B. Griffith; Eushville, Ste- 
phen E. Beggs; Flat Eock, James Jones, Thomas 
S. Hitt; Indianapolis, Thomas Henson. 

Charlestown district, James Armstrong, presiding 
elder; Charlestown circuit, Allen "Wiley, George 
Eandle; Corydon, Samuel Low, George Lock; 
Paoli, John Miller; Bloomfield, Eli P. Farmer; 
Eel Eiver, Daniel Anderson ; Crawfordsville, H. 
Vredenburg ; Bloomington, Edwin Eay ; Salem 
station, William Shanks; Salem circuit, John Cord. 

Wabash district, Charles Holliday, presiding el- 
der ; Honey Creek, Eichard Hargrave ; Vincennes, 

10 



114 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Aaron Wood; Patoka, James Garner, Joseph Tar- 
kington; Boonville, William H. Smith. 

Illinois district, Samuel H. Thompson, presiding 
elder; Mount Vernon, Orseneth Fisher. It will 
be perceived that the work was extending north- 
ward in the State. Crawfordsville was the most 
northern circuit, and Mount Vernon was in the 
extreme southern portion. The total number of 
members this year was 9,872. 

In 1827 the districts and circuits in Indiana were 
manned as follows : Madison district, John Strange, 
presiding elder; Madison station, Calvin W. Enter; 
Madison circuit, James Scott, Daniel Newton; Law- 
renceburg, James L. Thompson, George Eandle; 
Whitewater, James Havens, John T. Johnson ; Con- 
nersville, Eobert Burnes ; 'Eushville, N. B. Griffith ; 
Flat Eock, Abner H. Cheever; Indianapolis, Edwin 
Eay. 

Charlestown district, James Armstrong, presiding 
elder; Charlestown circuit, Allen Wiley, James Gar- 
ner; Corydon, George Lock, Samuel Low; Paoli, 
William H. Smith, Smith L. Eobinson; Eel Eiver, 
Daniel Anderson, Stith M. Otwell; Crawfordsville, 
Henry Buell; Bloomington, Aaron Wood; Salem, 
William Shanks, John Hogan ; Washington, Wil- 
liam Moore. 

Wabash district, Charles Holliday, presiding el- 
der; Vincennes, S. E. Beggs; Patoka, Asa D. West; 
Boonville, Thomas Davis; Mount Vernon, Thomas 
Files. 



PROGRESS OF METHODISM. 115 

The total membership this year was 10,740, an 
increase of 868. 

In 1828 the districts remained about as they 
had been the year previous. Some slight changes 
had been made in the arrangement of circuits and 
stations. Lawrenceburg was a station this year, 
being the third one organized in Indiana. The 
appointments of the preachers were as follows : 
Madison district, John Strange, presiding elder; 
Madison station, Edwin Ray; Madison circuit, 
James Garner, A. H. Chever; Lawrenceburg sta- 
tion, J. L. Thompson; Lawrenceburg circuit, Allen 
Wiley, D. Newton ; White water> T. S. Hitt, James 
Scott; Wayne, S. R. Beggs, William Evans; Con- 
nersville, Robert Burnes; Rushville, James Havens; 
Columbus, C. B. Jones; Indianapolis, N. B. Griffith; 
Vernon, Henry Buell. 

Charleston district, James Armstrong, presiding 
elder; Charleston circuit, George Lock, Enoch G. 
Wood; Cory don, J. W. M'Reynolds, S. Low; Paoli, 
William Moore, James M'Kean; Eel River, W. H. 
Smith, Benjamin Stephens; Crawfordsville, E. P. 
Farmer; Bloomington, D. Anderson, S. M. Otwell; 
Salem, William Shanks, John Hardy; Washington, 
Thomas Davis. 

Wabash district, Charles Holliday, presiding elder ; 
Vincennes, John Miller, Ashley Risley; Patoka, 
Charles Slocum ; Boonville, William Mavity ; Mount 
Vernon, Thom^as Files. The total number of mem- 
bers returned at the close of this year amounted to 



116; INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

12,090, showing the highly-gratifying increase of 
1,350. 

We have now given a brief sketch of the prog- 
ress of Methodism in Indiana for the second dec- 
ade. In twenty years from the time Methodism 
was introduced into the State, the number of mem- 
bers had increased to 12,090. In the first twenty 
years, by the working of the itinerant system, 127 
traveling Methodist preachers were connected with 
the work and took part in spreading Scriptural 
holiness over these lands. They laid the foundation 
of the Church deep and broad. "We are indebted, 
under God, to the men who cultivated this field for 
the first twenty years for the present prosperous 
state of the Church in every part of Indiana. 

A few of these men are still in the active work. 
Most of them have joined their fellow-laborers 
where there is rest from toil. 



POLITICS. 117 



CHAPTER XYI. 

POLITICS. 

In tlie early settlement of Indiana, what is now 
called party politics was a thing unknown among 
the people. The people had but few political prin- 
ciples, and these were simple and easily understood. 
When a man aspired to office, the great questions 
with the people were, ''Is he capable? is he honest?" 
They considered the ballot-box the palladium of their 
liberties — its purity — something to be guarded most 
sacredly. If any man had attempted to corrupt the 
ballot-box by stuffing, or by incorrectly counting, or by 
procuring illegal votes, or by attempting to buy votes 
in any way, he would have so completely blasted his 
reputation, that there would have been '' none so 
mean to do him honor." He could not have foui^d 
admittance into respectable society. It would have 
placed a mark upon him that would have made 
him an outcast. A good reputation was worth 
something to a man in those days. 

Caucuses and conventions to nominate candidates 
for office were unknown. Every man who so de- 
sired declared himself a candidate for office. Some- 
times there were ten or twelve candidates before 
the people for the same office. Every voter selected 



118 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

his candidate and cast his ballot for whom he 
pleased. 

The people did not call themselves after political 
parties, as Democrats, Whigs, Kepublicans, etc., but 
after their respective candidates, as Hoover men, 
Lomax men, Beard men. Hill men, Pennington men, 
Test men, Holman men, etc. In the great presi- 
dential campaign, when John Quincy Adams, An- 
drew Jackson, Henry Clay, Thomas H. Crawford, 
and John C. Calhoun were candidates, the people in 
Indiana called themselves Adams, Jackson, Clay, 
Crawford, or Calhoun men, according to their 
preferences among the candidates. The friends of 
Andrew Jackson were especially proud to call them- 
selves Jackson men. 

On election days, when the people came to the 
polls to vote, they did not inquire where they could 
obtain Democratic, Whig, or Eepublican tickets, 
but men were passing through the crowd of voters 
shouting ever and anon : " Here 's Jackson tick- 
ets!" ''Here's Adams tickets!" ''Here's Clay 
tickets!" etc. 

Stump-speaking was not practiced in Indiana for 
several years after she became a State, but was 
finally introduced and soon became general. At 
present, stump-orators are numerous. The stump 
is a great resort for demagogues. The people are 
often misled by its fulminations. Party politics 
were unknown in the State till after John Quincy 
Adams was elected President by Congress over 



POLITICS. 119 

General Jackson. From that period party politics 
began, and have continued, sometimes running to 
great excess. The friends of Jackson organized 
themselves under the title of Democrats, and those 
of Adams under that of Whigs. The Democrats 
carried the State in every State and Presidential 
election, till the Whigs took it from them under the 
leadership of General Harrison. After his death, 
the Democrats took the State from the Whigs, and 
kept it till the Kepublicans carried it under the 
leadership of the immortal Lincoln in 1860. After 
party politics was introduced into Indiana, trickery 
was soon resorted to in conducting our election 
campaigns, even down to the little county offices. 
These campaigns were not always conducted exactly 
upon the principles of honesty, but upon the plan 
most likely to succeed, without regard to whether 
it was right or not. 

In 1840 the Whigs adopted the raccoon as their 
insignia, and the Democrats the rooster as theirs. 
The Whigs were led to take the " coon " in conse- 
quence of the taunts thrown at General Harrison, 
their candidate for the Presidency. He was called 
by the Democrats ''the log-cabin candidate," ''an 
old hunter," etc. The Democrats were led to adopt 
the ^^ rooster'' in the following way: The contest 
between the two parties in Hancock county was 
close, and the Whigs seemed to be gaining. Joseph 
Chapman, a leading Democrat in that county, wrote 
to one of his political friends in another part of the 



120 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

State informing him how the parties stood, and ask- 
ing advice as to what he should do in order to 
carry the county for the party. His friend wrote 
back to him to appear in good spirits — to represent 
the party as gaining, saying to him in the letter: 
''Crow! Chapman, Crow!" Somehow, the Whigs 
obtained knowledge of the contents of that letter. 
Their stump-orators rang the changes on *'Crow! 
Chapman, Crow!" In every Whig gathering you 
would hear the shout, "Crow! Chapman, Crow!" 
The Democrats determined to make capital out of 
these taunts, and adopted the '' rooster " as their 
insignia. 

In 1842 Joseph Chapman and Thomas Walpole, 
a Whig lawyer who then resided in Grreenfield, were 
opposing candidates for the State Senate. Walpole 
had been in the Senate, and Chapman in the House 
of Kepresentatives. The Senatorial district was 
composed of the counties of Hancock and Madison. 
The canvass became warm. The candidates stumped 
the district together. Walpole was neat in his ap- 
parel, and wore ruffled shirts. Chapman was pecul- 
iarly slovenly in his appearance. In those days 
the Democrats charged the Whigs with being the 
'' Kuffled-Shirt Gentry." By this they made many 
votes among the yeomanry of the country. Upon 
this charge Chapman rung the changes well against 
Walpole, as they met upon the stump from time to 
time, often pointing to the ruffles in his bosom as 
evidence of the truth of the charge. 



POLITICS. 121 

They had spent some two weeks in Madison 
county, speaking every day except Sunday. All 
this time Chapman had not changed his linen, and 
it had become so much soiled that even he could 
not endure it any longer. He told Walpole one 
evening that he would be under the necessity of 
going home, in order to get a clean shirt, and could 
not be with him the next day. Walpole objected, 
and proposed to lend him one. Chapman said, 
' ' That will not do. Your shirts have ruffles on 
them, and you know I am fighting the 'Kuffled- 
Shirt Gentry.'" Walpole said to Chapman, ''You 
can button your double-breasted vest over your 
bosom, and hide the ruffles." He consented, and 
the next morning put on one of Walpole's shirts. 
That day it was Chapman's turn to speak first. In 
his speech he reiterated the old charge of ''Kuffled- 
Shirt Gentry," and pointed to the ruffles protruding 
from Walpole's bosom. When he closed his speech, 
Walpole arose and with great indignation referred 
to the abuse he had received from Chapman during 
the canvass for wearing ruffled shirts. Said he, 
''Fellow-citizens, I do wear ruffled shirts; you see 
them now in ray bosom. I am an honest man. I 
do not try to conceal them. I abhor a hypocrite. 
What character is so much to be despised as that 
of a hypocrite? This dishonest, hypocritical op- 
ponent of mine has been abusing me from day to 
day for wearing ruffled shirts, and I have borne it 

patiently, refusing to expose his hypocrisy. I will 

11 



122 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

expose him now, and prove to you that he wears 
ruffled shirts as well as I." At that moment he 
caught hold of Chapman's vest, as he sat near him, 
and tore it open, when out popped a bosomful of 
ruffles. At this, the audience raised a tremendous 
shout. Chapman was so much surprised and con- 
fused that he did not dare to get up and confess 
that he had on Walpole's shirt. This trick gained 
several votes for Walpole. 

On the Saturday before the election, which was to 
come off on Monday, they were speaking in a cer- 
tain neighborhood in Hancock county, where some 
vote Walpole had given in the Senate, the Winter be- 
fore, was very unpopular. Chapman labored to make 
all the capital he could for himself out of the vote. 
In order to avoid the force of the arguments Chapman 
made against him, Walpole positively denied having 
given such a vote. Chapman pledged himself to the 
people, that if they would meet him in Greenfield on 
Monday, the day of the election, he would, by the 
journal of the Senate, prove that Walpole did give 
that vote ; if he did not he would decline the canvass 
and not ask them to vote for him. The next day he 
rode to Indianapolis and procured a copy of the 
Senate journal; on Monday morning he came into 
Greenfield and put up at Gooding's Hotel; he went 
into the room he usually occupied, laid the journal 
upon the table, and walked out on the street. 
Walpole, seeing him pass out, went into the room, 
and taking up the journal, found the page where the 



POLITICS. 123 

hated vote was recorded, tore it out, put it in his 
pocket, laid down the journal and went out. When 
the citizens had generally gathered in town. Chapman 
returned to the hotel, got the journal, went out, 
mounted a block and commenced making his speech. 
Eeferring to the dispute between himself and 
Walpole, he renewed his pledge, telling the people 
he would prove that Walpole had given the vote and 
was then mean enough to deny it. Turning over 
the pages of the journal he could not find it, not re- 
membering upon which one it was recorded. He 
became so much confused that he did not discover 
that the journal had been mutilated. He at last 
gave up the search under much embarrassment. 
Walpole then mounted the block, denounced Chapman 
as a liar and a slanderer j and demanded that he 
should decline being a candidate, and called upon the 
people to vote for him. 

The result was Walpole was elected. They were 
both shrewd, talented men, well matched. In the 
cases related, Walpole obtained the advantage of 
Chapman. 

Political parties tend to corruption. Whenever 
the people allow themselves to be compelled to vote 
for a candidate because he has been nominated by a 
party, their liberties are greatly endangered. No 
man should vote for a candidate simply because he 
belongs to the party. Honesty, purity of character 
in a candidate, is of greater value to the people 
than the mere profession of a certain set of political 



124 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

principles. "Whenever the moral men of the coun- 
try let the party-political wireworkers know that 
party politics alone can not command their votes, 
then those who control and manage political nomi- 
nating conventions will give them moral men to 
vote for. 



MRS. SARAH SMITH. 125 



CHAPTER XYII. 

MRS. SARAH SMITH. 

We present the following sketch of Mrs. Smith, 
written by Rev. G. C. Smith, of the South-Eastern 
Indiana Conference, and published in the Western 
Christian Advocate in 1854, it being better than 
any thing we can write : 

Sarah Smith was born October, 1776, in the 
State of Virginia, and died January 10, 1854, in 
the seventy-eighth year of her age. For more than 
fifty- two years she was a faithful, consistent, ai^ 
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and lived in the conscious enjoyment of the com- 
forts of Divine grace. 

How agreeable soever it might be to surviving 
friends, and how desirable soever for the instruc- 
tion and encouragement of others, that the pious 
and useful life and high Christian character of this 
now sainted '' mother in Israel " should be spread 
out in detail before the public eye, the writer may 
decline the office of furnishing such desideratum. 
She was his mother; but for the praise of God's 
glorious grace he can not forbear to offer the follow- 
ing brief outline, deeming this as slight a tribute 
as a grateful son may well consent to pay to the 



126 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

memory of such a mother. " A woman that fear- 
eth the Lord, she shall be praised." " Her chil- 
dren shall rise up and call her blessed." 

When a small child she was left an orphan with 
an elder sister, by the death of both her parents. 
She was then taken by a kind uncle, who brought 
her up as one of his own family. When a little 
over twenty years of age, she was united in mar- 
riage to George Smith. The marriage was solem- 
nized on New- Year's day, 1797, in Union district, 
South Carolina, where they both then resided. With 
him she had lived, at the time of her death, more 
than fifty-seven years in uninterrupted harmony and 
conjugal felicity. She was indeed a helpmate. 
Never did woman more nobly and fully sustain that 
office. Through all the vicissitudes of life — in the 
gloomy paths of adversity, and in the sunny walks 
of prosperity — she was ever the same sympathizing, 
affectionate, and devoted companion. With grace 
and ease she could enter into the cares and recrea- 
tions, the joys and sorrows of her husband. In her 
domestic relations she made it her study to smooth 
the asperities and enrich the felicities of life. 

Some five years after her marriage she became re- 
ligious, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
She was one of the happy thousands who were 
brought to experience salvation in that wonderful 
revival of religion, which occurred about the close 
of the last and the beginning of the present century, 
and which extended all over the Southern and then 



MRS. SARAH SMITH. 127 

Western States. During that remarkable period of re- 
ligious excitement, camp meetings were introduced — 
those public means of grace by which, in modern 
times, so often hundreds, if not thousands, as on the 
day of Pentecost, have been " turned from darkness 
to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," 
and " added to the Church in one day." 

The first of these meetings held in that part of 
the country was in 1802. The spot selected was a 
pleasant grove in the valley of Inoree Eiver. Here, 
in the midst of the most picturesque scenery, the 
hundreds who came pouring in from every direction, 
some from the distance of fifty miles, pitched their 
tents in irregular clusters. Soon were gathered to- 
gether a vast multitude; people of all grades and 
conditions, high and low, rich and poor, black and 
white, Methodists and Presbyterians. Here, far 
from the noise and bustle of the crowded city, sur- 
rounded by a landscape clothed in nature's richest 
drapery, midway between those lofty hills which 
rose along on either side of the river, and overlooked 
the valley ; and while, as introductory, the songsters 
of the grove were chanting their mellow notes, the 
congregation of religious worshipers commenced their 
devotions. Fervent prayer was offered up. The 
Word of God was delivered at three different stands 
at the same time, in living thoughts and burning 
words, '^ in demonstration of the spirit and of power;" 
and soon the groans of the sin-sick arose, and min- 
gling with the shouts of the redeemed, went booming 



128 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

up the valley, and echoed from hill to hill. The 
voice of joy and praise broke forth from the taber- 
nacles of the righteous, and the noise was heard afar 
off, while the placid waters of the gentle river glided 
by in silence, as if listening at the sound. Had 
Balaam stood on some one of those hill-tops which 
skirted that valley, looked down upon those tents 
as they stood spread out through the grove, and 
heard the joyous sounds of salvation as they rose 
from the encampment, and rolled along the banks of 
the quiet Inoree, surely he would have exclaimed, as 
when, on the bights of Pisgah and Peor, he stood 
beside the son of Zippor, and saw the camp of ancient 
Israel spread over the plains of Moab, '' How goodly 
are thy tents, Jacob; and thy tabernacles, Is- 
rael ! As the valleys are they spread forth : as 
gardens by the river side ! The Lord their God is 
among them, and the shout of a king is among 
them." 

At this camp meeting hundreds were smitten by 
the power of Gospel truth, and fell to the ground 
under the preaching of the Word; hundreds, too, 
receiving the spirit of adoption, were then and there 
happily converted to God. 

At this meeting the husband of the subject of 
this sketch was powerfully convicted, and was con- 
verted on his way as he went home. She, with 
him, soon after, joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Some time after this, while her husband 
was at family prayer, she experienced converting 



MRS. SARAH SMITH. 129 

power ; 't was bright as noon ; she was unspeakably 
happy. Then she realized what Wesley sung : 

" My God is reconciled, 

His pard'ning voice I hear; 
He owns me for bis child, 
I can no longer fear." 

These lines she ever afterward held in the highest 
estimation, and often repeated them with all the deep 
emotion and holy confidence with which their author 
was inspired when first he sung them. From that 
happy hour she never doubted her acceptance with 
God. Through all her Christian warfare, which 
lasted over fifty- two years, she ^' fought a good 
fight, and kept the faith." Though she passed 
through scenes of trial and conflict, she never 
wavered in her attachments and fidelity to the 
Church "and the cause of religion. Her trust in God 
was strong and steady. It is confidently believed 
that she never spent a day in all her long life, after 
her conversion, without some bright manifestation of 
Divine grace. She seemed always to be conversant, 
with death, and in sight of heaven, to stand day by 
day on Pisgah's top. She was exceedingly fond of 
singing such words as, '^ Jesus, my Savior, I 
know thou art mine." '' Sweet rivers of redeeming 
love lie just before mine eyes." 

The resurrection of the body was a subject which 
she contemplated with the most triumphant emo- 
tion. Often has she seemed to exult in such un- 
earthly ecstasy in anticipation of that glorious con- 



130 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

summation of Christian triumph, as utterly to con- 
found the unbelievers. When, singing one of her 
favorite hymns, she came to the words, '' Arrayed in 
glorious grace shall these vile bodies shine," her 
soul would sometimes take wing, and, rising from 
the world, would soar for awhile amid the scenes of 
the upper sanctuary. 

In prayer she was truly gifted. In this she pos- 
sessed uncommon power. Though she was not an 
educated woman, her prayers were remarkably 
fluent and often eloquent. She was wonderfully 
successful at the altar among penitents. If their 
convictions appeared not sufficiently pungent, she 
would lead their minds in a train of such full and 
earnest confession and loathing of sin and wicked- 
ness a.s to make them shrink and cry for mercy; 
then pouring forth her intercessions in their behalf, 
she would raise them on the arms of faith, and 
standing at the very throne would present them 
for mercy with such assurance in the appeal, 
"Jesus, Master, now fulfill thy sacred word, as 
thou hast said, Blessed are they that mourn, for 
they shall be comforted," as rarely failed of success. 

Many happy souls will rejoice in eternity that 
they ever met this saint of God at the altar of 
prayer. Often at the social prayer meeting, when 
all seemed cold and lifeless, she has been called on 
to lead in prayer, when soon the Holy Ghost has 
been shed upon the people, and the shout of victory 
has gone up from God's altar. Her prayers at the 



MRS. SARAH SMITH. 131 

family altar will never be forgotten by her children. 
Many, many a time have they wept under her im- 
pressive prayers, while parents and children kneeled 
together at the domestic altar. 

For many years before her death she enjoyed the 
blessing of perfect love. She loved the Lord and 
she loved the Church. She would sing with pecul- 
iar zest as expressive of the feelings of her heart: 

" I love thee, my Savior ; I love thee, my Lord ; 
I love thy dear people, thy ways, and thy Word." 

A true and warm friend to itinerant ministers, her 
house was, for fifty years, their home. She was 
always glad to see a minister of the Lord Jesus 
enter her habitation, and felt unfeigned pleasure in 
ministering to his comfort. Many a weary itiner- 
ant has found a cordial welcome at her threshold. 
Never was she frustrated or confused in her domes- 
tic arrangements by the unexpected appearance at 
her door of these men of God, but she always con- 
tinued to render them easy and comfortable, as if 
their visit had been in pursuance of a special invi- 
tation. Indeed, it was with her substantially as 
with the Shunamite, who, in the days of Elisha, 
had a chamber on the wall furnished with a bed, 
and table, and stool, and a candlestick, for the 
prophet of the Lord as he passed that way, that he 
might turn in and rest. Among those who enjoyed 
her Christian hospitality may be mentioned a 
Grume, a Finley, (Robert,) a Strange, a Cummins, 



132 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

a Bigelow, a Griffith, a Wiley, etc. These are some 
of the sacred and honored dead, but many yet live 
in whose hearts her memory is embalmed by the 
recollection of the itinerant's home. 

In the Spring of 1809 she, with her husband 
and five children, emigrated from South Carolina to 
Indiana, in the then far West. They settled in 
Wayne county. Their residence was on the very 
borders of civilization, being just one mile from the 
Indian lands. Hundreds of wild savages were 
roaming through the neighboring forests. These 
were frequent guests, generally very troublesome — 
often terrible to lonely families on the frontiers. 
When hungry they would call and demand some- 
thing to eat, and the family that neglected to sup- 
ply their demands was almost sure to incur their 
displeasure, sometimes their revenge. 

During the British and Indian war of 1812- 
1813, the white inhabitants for some miles around 
united together and constructed a fort at her resi- 
dence for their common protection against the vio- 
lence of their savage neighbors. The fort consisted 
of a small piece of ground inclosed by a thick line 
of palisades in the form of a square. These pali- 
sades were made of the trunks of trees, split into 
slabs three or four inches in thickness, and twelve 
or fourteen feet in length, set upright, with one end 
in a ditch cut three feet deep, thus furnishing a 
wall some ten feet high. Within this inclosure a 
suitable number of houses were built for the accom- 



MRS. SARAH SMITH. 133 

modation of the resident families. Into this fort 
the neighbors repaired in time of alarm and danger. 
Though the tribes in that part of the country were 
not professedly engaged in the war which was being 
waged against the country, yet considerable mischief 
was done in the neighborhood of the fort, such as 
stealing, and even murder. 

Eeligious services were kept up in the fort. Oc- 
casionally they had circuit preaching. Once in a 
while the itinerant minister would find his way to 
this fort. Sometimes he bore upon his shoulder a 
musket to defend his life against the savages. Some- 
times he carried in his hands a hatchet to mark his 
way, that he might subsequently retrace his steps. 

The subject of this sketch was remarkable in her 
attentions to the sick. These she did not suffer her- 
self to neglect. Around the couch of the afflicted 
she would linger with the most unremitting care, 
glad to do a kindness, ever ready to minister to 
their comfort and spiritual instruction. Being her- 
self feeble in her constitution, and much afflicted 
during her life, she knew well how to sympathize 
with the sick. She saw six of her children laid in 
the grave, four of them in infancy. She murmured 
not. She believed that her Savior took her in- 
fants, and she saw the adult ones enter Jordan in 
the triumph of faith. The four children left behind 
her cherish in their hearts a sacred reverence for 
her pious life. 

About twelve years before her death she made a 



134 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

request of her youngest son, in relation to her fu- 
neral. She asked him to see to having sung at her 
burial the hymn commencing, 

" And must this body die ?" 

and to have her funeral sermon preached from the 
words, "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as 
ye think not, the Son of man cometh." These cir- 
cumstances considered alone may seem to possess no 
interest, but when viewed in connection with her 
life and death, they present coincidences which are 
somewhat remarkable. Her life was distinguished 
for that constant readiness which befits one whose 
departure from the world was to be sudden and un- 
expected. She died at the residence of her son of 
whom she made the request, just six weeks from the 
time she arrived at his house, and her remains are 
interred at Orleans, Orange county, Indiana. She 
died without a moment's warning, in the presence of 
several of her friends. She left without a sigh, not 
even a long breath. Thus sweetly and swiftly she 
passed from earth to the paradise of God. 



GEORGE SMITH. 135 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

GEORGE SMITH. 

Of the subject of this sketch, the following has 
been furnished us by a friend : 

George Smith was born January 21, 1777; he 
died July 11, 1857. The place of his nativity was 
Union district, South Carolina. His ancestors were 
of the purest Anglo-Saxon blood. Their distinctive 
religious faith was that of the ''Society of Friends," 
commonly called '' Quakers." Some of the more 
remote ones were among the earliest members of 
that religious society. According to the best gen- 
ealogical and biographical data available, they emi- 
grated from England to America in company with 
the famous William Penn, and originally settled in 
Pennsylvania. After some years, that branch from 
which George descended removed to South Carolina. 
His father and mother were both zealous and prom- 
inent Quakers, the latter of whom was a reputable 
preacher in that denomination. In the time of the 
American Revolution, his parents, in common with 
many of their countrymen, suffered much from the 
predatory incursions of the numerous Tories who 
infested that part of the country. More than once 
their residence was assailed and plundered by those 



136 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

political banditti of the most valuable portable ar- 
ticles. On one of these occasions, in the absence of 
his father, his mother's life was providentially pre- 
served from the violence of these military robbers. 
Having entered the domicile and commenced their 
depredations, one of them, an officer, seized a favor- 
ite household article which she held in her hand, 
and after a short, ineffectual struggle to wrest it 
from the grasp of the brave woman, he aimed a 
furious blow at her head with his sword, which 
struck the upper ceiling and glanced aside from its 
object. 

Both his parents died, the one a few years after 
the other, while he was only fourteen years of age. 
Left thus so early an orphan to struggle through 
life, without the protection and guidance of parental 
hands, he found in his own native energy and firm- 
ness of purpose the elements of power sufficient, 
under the Divine blessing, to sustain him and to 
conduct him triumphantly through that most critical 
juncture, his minority. In the true spirit of do- 
mestic heroism he went to work, took the younger 
members of the family under his care, and made all 
necessary provision for their temporal comfort during 
the time of their needed guardianship. 

Having arrived at a suitable age, he was married 
to Sarah Kennedy, with whom he lived in the hap- 
piest union for fifty-seven years and ten days. She 
went before him to the spirit-land about three years 
and a half. Her death was the great bereavement 



GEORGE SMITH. 137 

and affliction- of his long life ; but the grace of God 
sustained him. After he grew to maturity he apos- 
tatized from the religion of his fathers, or, rather, 
declined personally to embrace its peculiarities ; yet 
he never ceased to adhere, with the greatest tenacity, 
to the great moral principles of the Gospel, as held 
and taught by them. Consequently, he never ranged 
among the profane and wicked of that day. 

In 1802 he was converted to God, and became a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At 
the first camp meeting held in that country, and 
the first which he ever attended, he was deeply con- 
vinced of sin. He mourned as a penitent, and 
sought the Lord with prayers, strong crying, and 
tears. During the services the power of God was 
displayed in a wonderful manner, particularly on the 
holy Sabbath. On that day the people — hundreds 
of them — lay prostrate on the ground, like men 
slain in battle, insomuch that the scene appeared 
awfully grand. 

Under a sense of the wrath of God abiding on 
him, his feelings became so intensely excited that 
be could not consent to remain all the day upon the 
giound, but in the evening left for home. On his 
way thither he turned aside to pray, and while 
alone, agonizing in prayer, the Savior spoke his sins 
forgiven and his soul rejoiced in the conscious en- 
joyment of acceptance with God. He never after- 
ward doubted his conversion. On his return home 

the same evening he erected the family altar, whose 

12 



138 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

fires he never suffered to become extinct for a 
day, nor even to decline, till, after the lapse of more 
than fifty years, he became so aged and helpless 
that he was unable to stand upon his knees to 
pray. A short time after his conversion he had the 
joyful pleasure of witnessing the clear and happy 
conversion of his companion while he was leading 
the devotions of family prayer. 

In the Spring of 1809 he took his family, which 
consisted at that time of his wife and five children, 
and*emigrated to the then far West. He stopped 
his team and unpacked his goods in an almost un- 
broken wilderness, at a point a little north and 
about two miles west of where the ctiy of Rich- 
mond now stands, in Wayne county, Indiana. 
That was then on the very outskirts of civilization, 
all the lands west of him being claimed and occupied 
exclusively by the red men of the forest. Here he 
pitched his tent and commenced opening out a {iirm, 
little he and the few neighbors around him thinking 
of the vast and rapid tide of population and enter- 
prise which was to sweep over the western wilds 
within fifty years from that day. But he lived to 
see, in less time than that, the wilderness give way 
and the flourishing capital of Indiana standing 
seventy miles west of the spot where his frontier 
tabernacle stood, with her twenty-five thousand in- 
habitants, her grand State-house, her noble asylums, 
and her spacious and beautiful churches. He lived 
to see the boundary of civilization, which lay within 



GEORGE SMITH. 139 

a mile of his habitation, rolled westward till it 
reached the shores of the Pacific. In the place of 
his border settlement he resided for many years. 

After some brief arrangements for the temporal 
accommodation of his family, his next great care 
was to seek for the enjoyment of Christian privi- 
leges. During the first Summer after his arrival in 
that wilderness land, the pioneer Methodist preachers 
found their way thither, and preached a few miles 
from his log-cabin. At the first news of their ap- 
proach he started and met them at the place, intro- 
duced himself, gave the names of himself and wife 
as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
invited them to his humble dwelling. They came, 
and it was not long till his own cabin was made a 
preaching-place ; a class was formed and he ap- 
pointed leader. Many years from that date his 
house was constantly and emphatically the itinerant 
Methodist preacher's home. There many a weary 
minister rested, and rallied his recuperative energies 
for further toils in his Master's vineyard. 

Few men were living at the time of his death, 
who were citizens of Indiana when he came to this 
country. It was then known as the Indiana Terri- 
tory. Few, indeed, were the settlements made 
within the limits of what is now Wayne county, 
the most populous part of the State. All, or nearly 
so, of his early neighbors had died and gone before 
him. In the social etiquette of a new country all 
are recognized as neighbors, who live within ten or 



140 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

fifteen miles of each other. In that country and in 
those days Methodists walked, after the toils of the 
day, from one to five miles to prayer meeting at 
night. In simplicity, sincerity, and earnest Chris- 
tian zeal — not fanaticism, as some have called it — 
they met, and sung, and prayed, and shouted for an 
hour or two, in some humble, but honored private 
habitation. The services having been concluded, 
while the fire of unsophisticated, soul devotion yet 
glowed in their hearts, and while their eyes were 
yet moist with the waters of pure, spiritual joy, 
they gave each other a frank, hearty, and friendly 
greeting, ardent enough to singe the mossy faces of 
the fossilized Christians of the latter days. 

Soon there might be seen numerous brilliant 
torches blazing and gleaming in sundry directions 
through the dense forest, as these worshipers 
wended their way to their respective log-cabin 
homes. Those shining torches were fit and sig- 
nificant emblems of that inner light and fire of 
spiritual devotion which they carried in their 
hearts. Often it happened that sin-sick souls were 
healed along the way, whose new song of praise and 
shouts of joy made the dark caverns of the wilder- 
ness vocal, and sometimes sent the wild beasts in 
affright and haste from their nightly slumbers. 

The men of that day were confessedly inferior to 
our cotemporaries in the fine arts of Church polity. 
They were less skilled in the polemics which relate 
to family- sittings, choir-singing, theological schools, 



GEORGE SMITH. 141 

etc.; but in the discussion and maintenance of the 
truth, or the greater and more vital subjects of ex- 
perimental religion, justification by faith, the witness 
of the Spirit, humble obedience to Christ, according 
to the simple, old-fashioned theology of Wesley and 
Fletcher, " there were giants in those days." One 
could chase a thousand, and two could put ten 
thousand to flight of the pulpit-performers, tame 
sermonizers, Sunday lecturers, Gospel-diluters, and 
dulcifiers of other days. 

The subject of this sketch commenced early in 
his Cliristian life the systematic study of the Holy 
Scriptures, accompanied by prayer and meditation. 
This faithful reading of the Word of God gave him 
a more thorough knowledge of the things revealed 
than men ordinarily possess. The Bible was dis- 
tinctly his book to the last. He had read the Old 
and New Testaments regularly through many times 
in succession. This course of reading he continued 
till a few months before his decease, when his sight 
had so far failed him that he had to give up this* 
enjoyment. This privation he keenly felt. He 
often, however, called on his friends around him to 
read for him. He had read much in the theological 
works of his day. Wesley, Fletcher, Clarke, and 
Benson were his favorite authors. He had read 
Dr. Clarke's voluminous Commentary — every word 
in it — that was written in the English language. 
In Methodist theology he was critical — ready to 
detect any variations, no matter how slight, from 



142 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the standards of the Church. He was particularly 
tender and affectionate toward young ministers, and 
yet he managed, without seeming captious, often to 
suggest to them improvements in their sermons. 
He passed through all the shades and grades of 
frontier life. The privations, hardships, and suffer- 
ings incident to a new country became familiar to 
him. These he encountered and withstood in the 
prime and vigor of his life. When old age and 
infirmity came upon him, his own country had 
passed into a high state of cultivation, and, to some 
extent, had developed her rich resources. Owing 
to infirmity, a few of his last years were spent 
without the enjoyment of the public means of grace. 
He was unable to attend the sanctuary. 

After the death of his companion, with whom he 
had walked to the house of God for fifty-seven 
years, he was, much of the time, lonely. His great 
desire was to depart and be with the Lord; yet he 
would often repeat and apply to himself the lan- 
guage of Job, "All the days of my appointed time 
will I wait, until my change come." His heart 
was in heaven ; his mind was staid on God. Dur- 
ing the last two or three months of his life he kept 
his eyes closed much of the time; and, when asked 
for the reason, he invariably answered, " There is 
nothing in this world upon which I desire to look. 
When my eyes are closed, I am looking by faith to 
heaven, where Jesus is, and where my departed 
friends are." 



GEORGE SMITH. 143 

A few days before his departure, wliile alone in his 
room, and about the hour of midnight, his soul was 
greatly blessed. While rejoicing, his son, with 
whom he resided, awoke from sleep, and hearing the 
voice of joy went into his father's bed-chamber and 
found him unspeakably happy. For some hours he 
continued in a strain of praise to God. He said he 
had never, in all his life before, been so happy. 

For more than three years he lived with his 
youngest son, E,ev. W. C. Smith. During that time 
he buried the companion of his youth. And so at- 
tached was he, afterward, to the spot where she 
was laid, and the very soil which covered her re- 
mains, that he often said, " There is the place where 
I wish to be buried." 

He trained up his children in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord. They all became religious, 
and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Four 
only of his children survived him. These are on 
the way to Zion. Two of them are ministers of the 
Lord Jesus. He was a citizen of Indiana more than 
forty-eight years. George Smith was proverbial for 
honesty, integrity, firmness, and piety. During a 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
fifty-five years, he rendered efficient service in va- 
rious relations. Throughout nearly the entire length 
of the active portion of his life, he was a class-leader, 
or a steward, or both. 

At the house of his youngest son, in the city of 
Indianapolis, a few minutes before six o'clock, in the 



144 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

afternoon of July 11, 1857, in the eighty-first year 
of his age, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and was 
gathered, like a ripe shock of corn, into the garner 
of heaven. According to his request, his mortal re- 
mains were interred by the side of those of his com- 
panion. There they rest together in hope of the 
resurrection. 



REV. MOSES GRUME. 145 



CHAPTER XIX. 

REV. MOSES GRUME. 

The subject of this sketch was one of the first 
itinerant Methodist preachers who labored in Indi- 
ana. Eev. Mr. Williams had preceded him the 
year before. Rev. Hector Sanford accompanied him 
when he came to the Territory in 1809. 

It is unfortunate for the Church that so little is 
known of the talents and worth of these holy men of 
God, who came as pioneer ministers into the wilds 
of Indiana. Their appointments from year to year 
are found in the Minutes of Conference, but that 
does not give the extent of the fields of labor they 
cultivated, the hardships they endured, nor the bat- 
tles they fought, nor the victories they won, under 
the Great Captain of their salvation. 

Rev. Moses Crume was, perhaps, born in the 

State of Virginia; at least he was born, the second 

time, in that State. He was awakened and led to 

the foot of the cross, through the instrumentality of 

father Hathaway , who traveled Berkley circuit, in 

1785. He emigrated to Kentucky, where he was 

licensed to preach at a quarterly meeting held at 

Ferguson's Chapel, April 12, 1793. In 1808 he 

was admitted on trial into the old Western Con- 

13 



146 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

ference, whicli held its session that year at Liberty- 
Hill, Tennessee, and was appointed to Whitewater 
circuit, Indiana, with H. Sanford for a colleague. 
This circuit, at that time, embraced all the settle- 
ments in the Territory, from the Ohio River extend- 
ing north. The most northern appointment was 
Meek's Meeting-House, on Clear creek, in what is 
now Wayne county. ■ 

In 1811 he was returned to Whitewater circuit, 
without a colleague. This year he extended the 
circuit still further north, and established an ap- 
pointment at the cabin of George Smith. 

In 1814 Mr. Grume was appointed to Lawrence- 
burg circuit. This was the third year he had 
labored among this people, Lawrenceburg circuit 
having been stricken off from the Whitewater cir- 
cuit. 

In 1817 he was appointed presiding elder of 
Miami district, which he traveled two years. Law- 
renceburg and Whitewater circuits were embraced 
in this district. The other years of his itinerant 
life were spent in the State of Ohio. 

Mr. Grume was a man of noble bearing; his 
countenance was grave ; his appearance in the latter 
part of his life truly patriarchal. His hair he 
wore long, after the old style, parting it upon the 
top of his head, and combing it back behind his 
ears. His appearance in the pulpit was command- 
ing; his voice was mellow and deep-toned. He 
could hardly have been called an orator, but he was 



REV. MOSES GRUME. 147 

logical. He did not move and stir the feelings of 
an audience, but seldom failed to make an impres- 
sion for good. He never indulged in fancy, but 
presented the truths of the Gospel in a plain, sim- 
ple form, such as convinced the mind of the hearer. 
He was an expounder of God's Word. His manner 
of presenting the truth was such as to impress the 
minds of those who heard him, that he felt and be- 
lieved what he taught the people. 

No one ever doubted his piety. His life was 
such as to impress all who enjoyed the benefit of his 
acquaintance and association, that he was truly a 
man of God. This eminent minister of the Lord 
Jesus is associated with the writer's earliest recol- 
lections, and his appearance is photographed upon 
his memory. Many have blessed God that he ever 
lived, and in the day of eternity will claim him as 
their spiritual father. 

After a long and useful life, in 1839 he died in 
great peace at his residence, in the neighborhood of 
Oxford, Butler county, Ohio. 



148 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XX. 

EEV. JOHN STEANGE. 

John Strange was among the early preachers 
in Indiana. Various sketches of him have been 
written, but all have failed to present him fully to 
the reader. Indeed, few pens are competent to such 
a task. Those who have written of him have each 
contributed to the perpetuation of his memory. 
They have spoken of his excellencies, and yet the 
half has never been told. To know and fully ap- 
preciate the worth and talents of this distinguished 
minister of the Lord Jesus, the people had to see 
him, form his acquaintance, and hear him preach. 
The writer does not suppose that his pen can do 
justice to his exalted character, nor surpass those 
■who have written before him; but he would pay 
this humble tribute to the memory of one he claims 
as his spiritual father. 

Mr. Strange was admitted on trial in the old 
"Western Conference in the year 1811. At that 
time the Western Conference embraced the States 
of Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, 
Indiana, and Illinois. The preachers of this Con- 
ference were liable to be sent, from year to year, to 
any part of its bounds. To enter the itinerancy 
in a Conference of such dimensions, at such a time, 



EEV. JOHN STRANGE. ' 149 

required more devotion to the cause of the Ee- 
deemer, more of a self-sacrificing spirit, and more 
courage than men ordinarily possess. 

Mr. Strange was a Virginian by birth, and in 
boyhood emigrated to Ohio with his father. He 
was not favored in early life with a good education, 
but he possessed an active, vigorous mind, and a 
high order of native talent. He could have pre- 
pared himself in youth, and at manhood entered 
upon any one of the lucrative professions, particu- 
larly that of the law, and arisen to distinction and 
affluence ; but in early life he had sought and found 
the Savior, and united with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church — consecrating himself, time, and talents 
to the Lord. Hearing his Master's voice saying, 
"Go ye into the wilderness in search of the lost 
sheep of the house of Israel," he heeded that voice, 
and "chose rather to suffer affliction with the peo- 
ple of God than to enjoy the pleasures " of wealth and 
fame. He bade farewell to worldly prospects, ease, 
the pleasures of home, and, casting himself wholly 
upon the Lord, for time and eternity, he entered 
the itinerant ranks. Having once shoved ofi" from 
the shore, he never looked back to the day of his 
death. For twenty- two years he was a houseless, 
homeless wanderer, preaching Jesus and the resur- 
rection wherever he went. He loved to sing: 

" No foot of land do I possess, 

No cottage in the wilderness ; 

A poor wayfaring man. 



150 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

I lodge awhile in tents below, 
And gladly wander to and fro, 
Till I my Canaan gain." 

Mr. Strange's first appointment was to Will's 
Creek circuit, in tlie State of Ohio. His second 
appointment was to Cincinnati, with the distin- 
guished William Burke for his colleague. In the 
Fall of 1812 he was sent to Whitewater circuit, In- 
diana. This circuit was large, embracing all the 
country from a short distance above Lawrenceburg, 
north to the headwaters of Whitewater, and west 
as far as there were any white settlements. 

At this time the war with Great Britain and 
her Indian allies was in full blast. It was exceed- 
ingly hazardous for a solitary man to travel through 
the country; nevertheless, Mr. Strange failed to fill 
few, if any, appointments. Not believing it was 
his duty to yield up his life to the cruel savages 
that infested the country, lurking in every forest 
and glen, without an effort to defend himself, he 
procured a trusty rifle, which he carried with him 
wherever he went, always keeping a sharp look-out 
for Indians as he passed through the dense woods. 

His most northern appointment was at a fort 
built on Clear creek, two miles north-west of where 
the city of Bichmond is now situated. At this 
fort he made his appearance every four weeks, with 
his rifle upon his shoulder. Here, on each visit, he 
usually spent two or three days ministering to the 
inhabitants. These visits aflbrded great consolation 



REV. JOHN STRANGE. 151 

and encouragement to those who were thus shut up 
in the wilderness. 

In the Fall of 1813 Mr. Strange was appointed 
to Oxford circuit, in Ohio. In 1814 he was sent to 
Lawrenceburg circuit, in Indiana. In the Fall of 
1815 he was returned to Ohio, being appointed to 
White Oak circuit, which he traveled two years. 
In the Fall of 1817 he was sent to Mad Eiver cir- 
cuit. To this circuit he was returned the next 
year. In 1819 he was sent to Union circuit, where 
he remained two years. In the Fall of 1821 he 
was appointed presiding elder of Lebanon district, 
in Ohio; The next year he was sent to Milford cir- 
cuit. In 1823 he was appointed presiding elder of 
Miami district. This brought him back into Indi- 
ana — Lawrenceburg, Whitewater, Madison, and Con- 
nersville circuits being in his district. 

The next year Illinois Conference was formed, 
and all the work in Indiana was placed in that Con- 
ference. Madison district was formed, and Mr. 
Strange was appointed to it. He continued to 
travel this district for the next four years, when he 
was appointed presiding elder of Charlestown dis- 
trict. He remained upon this district three years, 
when the Indianapolis district was formed, and he 
was appointed to it. At the close of his first year 
as presiding elder of that district, he was compelled 
to take a superannuated relation. His slender 
frame could no longer endure the hardships and 
privations, he had been undergoing. The toils and 



152 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

labors lie had been performing on large circuits and 
districts for twenty-two years, in a new country, 
were too severe for him. This was his last field 
of labor. It was a hard struggle for him to consent 
to give up the active work, for his soul still burned 
with holy zeal for the salvation of precious souls, 
but he yielded with the best grace he could. 

It is said that a gentleman who greatly admired 
Mr. Strange deeded him a quarter section of wild 
land, as a token of his high regard. Mr. Strange 
kept the land a short time. Feeling that the land 
encumbered his mind, and abridged some enjoyments 
he greatly prized, he went back to his friend and 
gave up the deed, requesting to be relieved of his 
burden, stating, that since he had received that pres- 
ent, he had not been permitted to sing his favorite 
song, 

" No foot of land do I possess," etc., 

and could not forego that enjoyment. This may be 
thought an error in Mr. Strange. If it was, it was 
one of the head — not of the heart. He had given 
himself unreservedly — time and talents — all his ran- 
somed powers, to God and the Church, and was 
afraid to allow himself to become encumbered, in the 
smallest degree, with worldly goods, lest he should 
be hindered in the work committed to his hands. 
His faith was strong that God would provide for 
himself and family, and supply his wants through 
life. In this he was not mistaken — he had not be- 
lieved in vain. So deep was the hold he had upon 



REV. JOHN STRANGE. 153 

tlie affections of the people, that after he superannu- 
ated, his friends purchased a house and lot, on the 
south side of Market, between Meridian and Penn- 
sylvania streets, Indianapolis, and presented it to 
him. They took great pleasure in supplying his ne- 
cessities, and administering to his comfort, till he 
entered into that land where the inhabitants hunger 
no more, and where the Lamb leads them to fount- 
ains of living water. 

Mr. Strange was about six feet in hight, of slender 
frame, hair jet black and very straight, eyes black, 
clear, and piercing. His form was erect, standing 
or walking. All his movements were peculiarly 
graceful — particularly in the pulpit. His social 
qualities were of the highest order, yet he never 
failed to maintain his ministerial dignity, without 
affectation, or the appearance of stiffness. His voice 
was clear and distinct, sweet and melodious — over it 
he had perfect command. He could raise it to the 
highest, or bring it down to the lowest key, with-- 
out the slighest jar or discord. He was one of the 
finest singers that ever "tuned a voice to sweetest 
song." He was very fond of music when in the fam- 
ily circle; and in the public congregation he often 
lifted the people from their seats, by the power of 
his song. He could render the hymn commencing, 

" Hear the royal proclamation," 

with more effect, perhaps, than any man who ever 
tried it. 



154 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

In the pulpit, he was peerless in voice and gesture. 
No one ever imitated him — for none could. He 
was a natural orator of the highest class. It was 
no studied art with him — it was Heaven's rich gift. 
His power over an audience, at times, seemed to be 
almost supernatural, causing their feelings to rise 
and swell, at the command of his voice, or the wav- 
ing of his hand, as the ocean would surge under 
the call of ^olus. Often the people were so carried 
away by his eloquence that, rising from their seats, 
they would press toward the place where he stood 
telling the story of the cross — portraying the dying 
agonies of the Savior — themselves seemingly lost to 
every subject but the one presented by the speaker. 

He was sometimes eccentric in the pulpit, but his 
eccentricities were always graceful. From any other 
man than John Strange, some of his remarks would, 
perhaps, have been inadmissible. He possessed what 
Eev. Mr. Taylor, in his Model Freacher, calls " sur- 
prise power," in a very high degree. This he used 
to great effect. By his sudden exclamations, he 
would thrill a whole congregation as by a shock of 
electricity. Sometimes, when speaking of God's love 
to man in the redemption of the world, the joys of 
Christ's great salvation, the glory of heaven, his 
soul would be filled with such heavenly rapture, that 
he would exclaim in his peculiar voice, "Alleluia! 
Alleluia! Alleluia!" when the people would catch 
the spirit, and from every part of the congregation 
shouts of praise would ascend to heaven. 



REV. JOHN STRANGE. 155 

Sometimes, wlien portraying the torments of 
tliose shut up in the prison-house of hell, and de- 
scribing the wicked as in crowds they urged their way 
down to blackness and darkness, the sinners in the 
congregation would scream out, crying for mercy. 
Seizing upon the occasion, Mr. Strange would ex- 
claim, in his inimitable way, '' A center shot, my 
Lord; load and fire again !" The backwoods hunt- 
ers knew well how to apply such expressions. 

On one occasion, when he was j^reaching on Sun- 
day at a camp meeting, the tide of feeling rising 
higher and higher, he took one of his wonderful 
flights of eloquence, which lifted the congregation, 
and a general shout arose. Hearing the great shout 
which rolled up from within the inclosure of tents, 
a crowd of persons who had been wandering about 
on the outside of the encampment, came rushing in 
through an opening to the row of tents, and down 
the center aisle toward the stand. Seeing the 
coming throng, Mr. Strange stopped short, raised 
himself to his full hight, and, standing upon his 
tiptoes, threw his right hand forward, pointing 
with his index finger directly toward the crowd, 
and then exclaimed, in a voice which seemed to 
startle the people from their seats, '* Here they 
come now ! My Lord, shoot them as they come!" 
At once, scores of loud '' amens " rolled up from the 
congregation. Instantly, as if stricken by light- 
ning, the whole crowd of sinners who were pressing 
down the center aisle, dropped upon seats, and on 



156 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the ground. From that moment he held the con- 
gregation at his will, till the close of the sermon. 

His powers of description were of the finest order. 
He Gould so describe a scene, that you would seem 
to behold, in undimmed light, that which he was 
portraying. When he was preaching the funeral 
sermon of Rev. Edwin Ray, in Indianapolis, toward 
the close of the discourse, while describing the 
second coming of Christ, his bringing with him 
'' them that sleep in Jesus," descending " in the 
clouds of heaven," he stood erect for a moment, 
then, looking upward, cried out, " Where is Edwin 
Ray?" Still looking upward, he said, .''I see 
him; I see him!" and then, with both hands raised 
as if welcoming him, he exclaimed, in a voice that 
seemed to go up to the clouds, " Hail, Edwin ! 
Hail, Edwin! Hail, Edwin!" The effect upon the 
congregation will never be forgotten by those who 
heard that sermon and felt the power. 

A-fter a lingering illness of pulmonary affection, 
in holy triumph, in the city of Indianapolis, on the 
second day of December, 1833, he bade the world 
adieu, and went up to join the blood- washed throng 
around the throne of God. When the word, "Rev. 
John Strange is dead," spread abroad, there was 
mourning throughout the Church in Indiana. 
Blessed man ! Peace to thy memory I 



EEV. HUGH CULL. 157 



CHAPTER XXI. 

EEV. HUGH CULL. 

Hugh Cull was among the first, if not the first, 
Methodist local preachers in Indiana. He was one 
of the pioneers, and took an active part in planting 
Methodism in the eastern portion of the State. He 
was a man of so many excellencies, of so great 
worth, that 'he is "worthy to be had in everlasting 
remembrance." As a tribute of respect to his 
memory this sketch is given. 

Hugh Cull was born of Eoman Catholic parents, 
in Havre-de-Grace, Md., October, 1759. When 
he was four years of age, his father removed to 
what is called the Ked-Stone country, Pennsylvania. 
Here he continued to reside till he was twenty 
years of age. In 1777, with his father, he emi- 
grated to Kentucky. They located their habitation 
where the city of Lexington is now situated. In 
1785 he went to Henry county, Kentucky, where 
he was afterward united in marriage to Miss Eachel 
Meek, a devotedly pious member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. She was in the sixteenth year 
of her age. 

Though not addicted to many of the vices com- 
mon to young men in a new country, his training 



158 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

had not been such as to lead ,him to piety, or 
incline him to any of the Protestant Churches, par- 
ticularly the Methodist Episcopal Church. In a 
short time after his marriage, he was, through the 
instrumentality of his faithfully pious young wife, 
led to the foot of the cross, where he found the 
Savior, and then united with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. So thorough was his conversion, so 
deep his piety, so' earnest his zeal, so ardent his at- 
tachment to the Church, and such were his talents, 
that in a short time he was licensed to preach. 

From the time he united with the Church his 
house became a home for the weary itinerant, and 
continued to be as long as he had a house, which 
was a period of more than seventy years. Rev. 
Jacob Young, in his Autobiography, speaks of Mr. 
Cull's house as a '' most hospitable home for Meth- 
odist preachers." 

In 1804 he came to Indiana to explore the 
country. In 1805 he brought his family out, 
which consisted of his '' beloved Rachel," and 
Patience, a niece of his wife, whom they had 
adopted as a daughter. He pitched his tent on the 
land he had entered, in what is now Wayne county. 
All around him was one wild wilderness. In a 
short time his humble cabin was erected, into 
which he placed his family and erected the family 
altar, which was never taken down. 

Though a man of feeble physical frame, and ap- 
parently slender constitution, he opened a farm in 



EEV. HUGH CULL. 159 

the dense forest and supported his family comforta- 
bly. There being no other minister of the Gospel 
residing in that part of the Territory, and the trav- 
eling preachers not having yet found their way into 
that region, it devolved upon Mr. Cull to plant the 
Gospel-standard. He at once set about the work. 
He invited the few families that were in reach of 
him to come to his cabin, stating he would preach 
to them. He also visited distant settlements on 
Sabbath days, and established preaching-places. As 
soon as the itinerant preachers came in reach, he 
went after them and invited them to his abode. 
They came and organized a class at his house, and 
made it a regular preaching-place, which it con- 
tinued to be for twenty years. 

Mr. Cull was a man of medium size, with black 
hair — till whitened by age — which he always 
combed back upon his head, heavy eyebrows — neat 
in his appearance. He had a pleasant voice, mellow 
in its tones ; he had a very fair English educa- 
tion ; he possessed the confidence of his fellow- 
citizens in a high degree. He was a member of 
the Convention which met in Corydon, then the 
seat of government for the Territory, and which 
formed the first Constitution of the State. He was 
an influential member of that Convention, and took 
an active part in its deliberations. The people had 
great respect and reverence for him. He was called 
Father Cull by the citizens generally, as far back as 
the writer's memory goes. He was a man of ten- 



160 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

der heart, strong affections, kind spirit, full of 
sympathy, of deep unostentatious piety. He had 
the full confidence of all who knew him. He was 
mighty in prayer, a man of strong faith, always 
enjoying a sacred nearness to God when at the 
throne of the heavenly mercy. 

He was a good preacher, zealous and pathetic. 
The people always heard him gladly. He was a 
man of tears when preaching, and often the whole 
congregation would be melted, under his sermons 
and exhortations. He delighted much in hearing 
the Gospel preached ; on it he fed and feasted. 
When his soul was filled with joy Divine, he loved 
to say glory ! It seemed to afibrd him peculiar 
pleasure. '' Glory, glory, glory !" was a common 
expression of his, when in an ecstasy of joy. He 
was a warm and true friend of the itinerant preach- 
ers, delighting in their society, bidding them wel- 
come to his home ; ever ready to assist them to the 
best of his ability. At an early day he traveled 
a part of a year, as a '' supply, " when his circuit 
extended from Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio Eiver, as 
far north as Greenville, in the State of Ohio. The 
country was new, the streams were unbridged, the 
roads almost impassable ; consequently, the travel- 
ing was laborious and hazardous. He was always 
ready to take the circuit for a round or two, when 
it was necessary to supply the place of a sick 
preacher, or one who was called away from his work 
for a short time. 



REV. HUGH CULL. 161 

Father Cull resided on the farm where he first set- 
tled when he came to Indiana, fifty-seven years ago. 
He died on the thirty-first day of August, 1862, 
aged one hundred and four years and ten months. 
He retained his physical and mental vigor, in a 
very remarkable degree, to near the close of his 
long and useful life. About three months before 
his departure his physical strength began to de- 
cline. Gradually he descended to the grave. The 
taper of life burned lower and lower, till it went 
out. As his end drew near, the prospect of join- 
ing his former friends and companions, and the wife 
of his youth, who had passed on before, filled his 
soul with heavenly rapture. . The last words that 
escaped his lips on this side the river, and they 
came forth in a whisper, were, '' Glory, glory, 

glory !" Thus lived and died Rev. Hugh Cull. 

14 



162 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

EEV. JOHN GIBSON. 

John Gibson was the second Methodist local 
preacher who settled in what is now Wayne county, 
Indiana. He came to the Territory at an early day. 
Where or when he was born is not known to the 
writer; nor what were the circumstances surround- 
ing him in early life; nor when nor where he was 
converted and united with the Church; nor when he 
was licensed to preach. The presumption is, that he 
was, in early life, very much after the Benjamin - 
Abbott style. His education was limited, but suffi- 
cient for his station in life and the people to whom 
he ministered in their wilderness-homes. He was 
rather uncomely in his appearance, low of stature, 
very round shouldered, of great muscular power, for 
a man of his size. He was of sanguine tempera- 
ment — kind spirited — a true friend — firm in his 
principles, and fearlessly advocated what he believed 
to be right, and opposed what he believed to be 
wrono'. He was a terror to evil-doers. In his ser- 
mons he feared not to charge Satan's strongest holds. 
The vices of the day met in him a steady and pow- 
erful opposer. 

He was a man of true piety and of great zeal in 



EEV. JOHN GIBSON. 163 

his Master's work — of great faith — a good preacher, 
always acceptable to the Church, but dreaded by 
the servants of Satan — very successful in laboring 
with penitents, and a powerful exhorter. He had 
some peculiarities. He sometimes used expressions 
in prayer which would have sounded strangely, 
coming from the mouth of any other man than 
John Gibson. On one occasion, at a camp meeting, 
while a prayer meeting was being conducted in the 
altar, many persons were seeking salvation, and 
many souls were being converted, the preacher's 
stand was crowded with the proud and haughty, 
who stood looking on. Among them, and at the 
front of the stand, stood a young woman, very gayly 
attired, who was making sport in a very derisive 
manner of the exercises. Mr. Gibson was on his 
knees in the altar, with his face toward the stand, 
earnestly engaged in laboring with the penitents. 
Looking up he saw the young woman laughing and 
making sport. He suddenly exclaimed, in great 
earnestness, '^ My God ! knock that young woman 
down!" repeating it three times; when, as if 
pierced by a rifle-ball, the young woman fell into 
the altar. Mr. Gibson turned to a lady who was 
kneeling near him, and, tapping her on the 
shoulder, said, '' Sister, that is what I call taking 
them between the lug and the horn." This young 
woman, after a long and hard struggle, was pow- 
erfully converted. 

Mr. Gibson labored as a local preacher for several 



164 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

years, and was instrumental in the salvation of 
many souls. He and his associates in the "king- 
dom and patience of Jesus " have all gone home to 
their Father's house above, where, reunited, they 
join in the song of the redeemed, "Unto him that 
loved us and washed us from our sins in his own 
blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto 
God; to him be glory forever and ever." He died 
in holy triumph, in Wayne county, Indiana, in the 
year 1818. 



METHODISM IN RICHMOND. 165 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO RICHMOND. 

Richmond, in Wayne county, was originally set- 
tled by Friends, commonly called *' Quakers." John 
Smith and Jeremiah Cox, the proprietors of the 
town, were influential members of that denomina- 
tion. Some years before Eichmond was founded, 
Whitewater Friends' Meeting-House was built a 
short distance above the site of the town as first 
laid out. The town improved rapidly. The inhab- 
itants were principally Friends. From their pecul- 
iar religious tenets they did not give encouragement 
to any other denomination. They were a quiet, 
moral people, very exact in the observance of all 
religious duties as held and taught by their own 
Society. They, at that time, associated but little 
with persons of other Churches. They seldom, if 
ever, allowed their houses of worship to be occupied 
by ministers of other denominations. These they 
were pleased to call *'Lo-heres and Lo-theres," and 
considered it their duty to warn their people not to 
run after them. It was several years after the 
town began to improve before any other religious 
denomination made an effort to establish themselves 
in the place. The Methodists were the first. In 



166 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

1822 Eev. Eussel Bigelow was preacher in charge 
of Whitewater circuit. He determined to make an 
effort to plant Methodism in Eichmond. It was 
difficult to obtain a house to preach in. The inhab- 
itants who were not Friends were by no means 
friendly to the Methodists. None would open their 
houses. After a time permission was obtained to 
preach in a small school-house. In this Mr. Bige- 
low preached the first sermon delivered by a Meth- 
odist preacher in Eichmond. He soon organized a 
small class, consisting of the following persons: 
George Smith, Sarah Smith, Mercy B. Smith, Ea- 
chel S. Smith, Stephen Thomas, Margaret Thomas, 
and the widow Pierson. George Smith was ap- 
pointed leader of the little band. It was not long 
till the school-house was taken from them. Preach- 
ing and class meetings were then moved to a small 
room occupied by the widow Pierson as a dwelling. 
In a short time after this Mrs. Pierson moved from 
the town, when the class was discontinued, the other 
members living in the country and not being able 
to procure another house to worship in. The town 
was now given up by the Methodists for a time. 
In the Fall of 1825 Eev. James Havens was sent to 
the circuit. During the year he determined to 
make another efibrt to establish Methodism in Eich- 
mond. A small house in the lower end of the town, 
remote from any other residence, which was occu- 
pied by Isaac Jackson, was obtained, preaching was 
established and a class organized. From that 



METHODISM IN RICHMOND. 167 

period Methodism has maintained a place in Rich- 
mond. 

For several years the Church met with the most 
decided opposition. The struggle for an existence 
was a hard one. Satan and the enemies of the 
Church strove hard to drive her from the place. 
The faithful few who were there united in Church 
fellowship, were firm in their religious principles, 
praying always, "lifting up holy hands, without 
wrath and doubting," that God would strengthen 
them, give them the victory, and add to their num- 
ber such as should be saved. The ministers sent to 
them from year to year labored diligently, shunning 
not to declare the whole counsel of God. Gradu- 
ally, the Church gathered strength, and her mem- 
bership increased in numbers. 

The first Methodist two days' meeting held in 
Richmond, commenced on the first Saturday in June, 
1828. At that time there were but few members 
in the place, but they were devotedly pious, and 
were closely united in Christian bonds, though sur- 
rounded by the most intense opposition. Bev. 
Stephen E. Beggs, who was in charge of the circuit, 
had made the appointment. There had been con- 
siderable prosperity in other parts of the circuit, 
and now, that a two days' meeting was announced 
for Richmond, the attention of the people generally 
was turned in that direction. A Methodist two 
days' meeting was something new to most of the 
citizens, and created no little excitement; partly to 



168 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

know what it would be like, and, partly, because 
these '' hireling preachers " were about to disturb 
the quiet of the place. Some were anxious to keep 
the people from attending, others, to see the great 
sight. 

The meeting was held in the brick school- house, 
on the public square. When the time appointed 
arrived, the Methodists came in from different 
parts of the circuit. Mr. Beggs and two or three 
local preachers were in attendance. At the first 
coming together there was quite a congregation. 
An excellent sermon was preached, one that stirred 
the hearts of the people to their very depths, kin- 
dling anew the holy fire. At the close of the sermon 
the tide of feeling was running so high that the 
songs and shouts of the congregation were heard 
far away. This increased the excitement in the 
town. At night the school-house was crowded, the 
Holy Ghost attended the Word preached and the 
exhortation which followed. An invitation being 
given, five or six persons presented themselves as 
seekers of salvation. This was a strange sight to 
many in the house. The pious gathered around the 
penitents, singing and praying with them till a 
late hour. 

On Sunday a love-feast was held. It was a time 
of power. Toward the close of the exercises, an 
invitation was given to persons to unite with the 
Church. Several came forward. Among the num- 
ber were three sisters. Misses K., of one of the 



METHODISM IN RICHMOND. 169 

first families of the town. Their father was rather 
inclined to infidelity. He had taken great pains to 
educate and prepare his daughters to move in the 
highest circle of society, not dreaming they would 
ever be Methodists. When the three Misses K. 
came forward and united with the Church, some 
evil-designing one, on the outside of the house, who 
saw through the window what was going on within, 
hastened to Mr. K., and told him that the 
Methodists had got his daughters '^ befooled ; that 
they were acting very disreputably, lying prostrate 
upon the floor," etc. This statement exasperated 
Mr. K. very highly. He immediately made his 
way to the school-house, where the love-feast was 
being held, and demanded admittance. The door- 
keeper, not knowing what had been told him, re- 
fused to let him in. He forced open the door and 
entered, trembling with rage. Going to where his 
daughters sat weeping, he took them by the hand, 
and led them away. As they passed out, the excla- 
mation, '' Lord have mercy," in subdued tones, was 
heard from different parts of the congregation. 
When he reached his residence, his daughters in- 
formed him that all they had done was to unite 
with the Church. Finding that he had been de- 
ceived, that his informant had misrepresented his 
daughters and the Methodists, he led them back to 
the school-house and to the seat whence he had 
taken them. He then went to Rev. Mr. Beggs, 

and requested him to make an explanation of his 

15 



170 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

course that morning, and offer an apology for him 
to the public congregation. He remained to hear 
the sermon, and, at the close of the services, invited 
the preachers to dine with him that day. He ex- 
pressed an entire willingness, as it was the wish of 
his daughters, for them to be members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. They were soon after 
converted, and continued, at the last account from 
them, pious, influential members. Thus, Satan was 
thwarted in his design. This meeting resulted in 
much good. Preaching was continued in the school- 
house for some time, class and prayer meetings 
being held in a private house. 

In the course of events it became necessary for 
the Methodists to leave that place of worship. 
Again they were without a tabernacle. The pros- 
pect looked gloomy. It was not long, however, 
till they found a place, not very inviting, it is true, 
in its appearance, but they were glad to find shelter 
any where. James Henry offered a small frame 
building which had been occupied as a residence. 
It was humble in its appearance, but was gladly 
accepted, and soon fitted up with rough seats and 
made as comfortable as the ability of the members 
would admit. Here the preachers again admin- 
istered the Word of Life to the faithful few, and 
here prayer and class meetings were held, led by 
that good man, Elisha W. Fulton. Glorious seasons 
were enjoyed in this small tabernacle. The circuit 
preachers usually held class meeting immediately 



METHODISM IN RICHMOND. 171 

after preaching. If the sermon was a good one, 
and the prea^cher gave the members a class meeting 
after it, they went from their humble place of wor- 
ship strong in the Lord. If the sermon was not so 
good, but the preacher held class meeting after 
preaching, all were well satisfied. Though the ser- 
mon was good, very good, if the preacher did not 
meet the class, the members went away feeling that 
they had had but half a loaf. If the sermon was 
a poor one, and the preacher did not meet the 
class, then the members returned to their homes 
sorry indeed. What was true of the little band in 
Richmond, at that time, in regard to desiring the 
preachers to meet the classes, was true with the 
members of the Church generally in the planting 
of Methodism in Indiana. In the use of this means 
of grace they grew in piety. 

The house obtained from Mr. Henry was too 
small and too much out of repair to answer the 
purpose long. Something had to be done — some 
other arrangement made. The male members were 
called together for consultation. They were few in 
number — none rich — some very poor. After earnest 
prayer it was determined to build a house for the 
Lord. A subscription paper was prepared — all put 
down their names. A few men who were not mem- 
bers of the Church gave some aid. The largest 
amount given by any one was twenty-five dollars — 
the smallest, one dollar. One young man who was 
working for nine dollars per month, and boarding 



172 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

himself, gave ten dollars. A lot was purchased 
where the Pearl-Street Methodist Episcopal Church 
now stands, and the work commenced. The Church 
was to be one story in front, two in rear, being 
located on the side of a hill — the lower to be of stone, 
the upper frame. Though the men had subscribed 
all they thought they were able to give, they 
turned out, quarried the rock, drew them to the 
spot, dug out the foundations, and attended the 
masons while they built the wall and made it ready 
for the frame-work. They had not progressed far 
till the small amount raised by subscription was 
expended. There was no alternative left but to try 
it again. Accordingly, every man put down just 
half the amount of his first subscription. Again 
the work went on. When the house was up, in- 
closed, and the floors laid, the funds were again 
exhausted. Although compelled to cease operations 
for a time, the members were greatly rejoiced that 
they had some prospect of a house of worship of 
their own, from which they could not be driven by 
their enemies. 

At this time Asa Beck and Kichard S. Eobinson 
were traveling the circuit. The members of the 
Church desired a two days' meeting in their new 
meeting-house. Mr. Eobinson, the junior preacher, 
agreed to give them one. The time was fixed. 
Temporary seats and pulpit were arranged in the 
new church. Then most earnestly did the members 
of the Church pray that the Great Head of the 



METHODISM IN RICHMOND. 173 

Churcli would meet them at their first two days' 
meeting in the new house of worship. At the 
prayer meetings and around the family altar this 
was the burden of their petitions. Arrangements 
were made with Rev. John A. Baughman, who was 
then traveling Greenville circuit, in Ohio, his family 
residing at Eaton, and whose fame as a preacher 
had reached Indiana, to attend this meeting. Dur- 
ing all this time the opposition to Methodism had 
by no means abated in Richmond, and now that 
another two days* meeting was to be held, something 
must be done to prevent it. Accordingly, a report 
was put in circulation that " the small-pox was 
raging at Eaton," where Mr. Baughman resided, 
and as he was coming to the Methodist meeting it 
would not be safe to permit him to enter the town. 
Upon this report a committee, called a ^' Board of 
Health," was appointed. On Friday this "Board 
of Health " went to all the families whom it was 
supposed would be likely to entertain any Method- 
ists that might come from a distance to attend the 
meeting that was to commence the next day, and 
warned them not to receive any company, " as the 
small-pox was then in Eaton," and the probability was, 
if Mr. Baughman came to the Methodist meeting, 
"■ that dreadful disease would spread among the cit- 
izens." They also appointed men to keep watch of 
the road leading from Eaton to Richmond, and pre- 
vent Mr. Baughman from entering the town. 

The time for the meeting to commence arrived. 



174 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

On Saturday morning the Methodists from the 
country met the few who lived in town, in the 
street in front of the new church. While they 
stood there sorrowing over the state of things sur- 
rounding them, they saw at some distance several 
groups of men watching them to see what they 
would do. The hour for the services to commence 
having arrived, Mr. Eobinson, who was with them, 
said, "Well, friends, let us go into the house. I 
will preach, by the help of the Lord, if the devil 
stands at the door." They went in. The preacher 
gave out a hymn — they all joined in singing ; after 
which they bowed before the Lord. Mr. Robinson 
prayed, and such a prayer! The power of God 
came down ; the house trembled to its foundation ; 
the souls of the pious caught new fire; their faith 
was increased and they felt that the Lord of Hosts 
was with them. The sermon which followed did 
their hearts good. At night there was preaching 
again — the congregation much increased. God was 
in their midst. Their battle-cry was, "The sword 
of the Lord and of Gideon!" The love-feast was 
held Sunday morning. It was a time long to be 
remembered. Truly, 

" Their hearts did burn while Jesus spake, 
And glowed with sacred fire ; 
He stooped, and talked, and fed, and blessed. 
And filled the enlarged desire." 

At the close of the love-feast, Mr. Baughman made 
his appearance among them. By affliction in his 



METHODISM IN RICHMOND. 175 

family he had been prevented from leaving Eaton on 
Saturday, as he had anticipated. Having heard 
nothing of the report put in circulation at Rich- 
mond, and the arrangements made to prevent him 
from entering the town, he left home at an 
early hour on Sunday morning, and before those 
who had been appointed to keep watch over the 
road were aware of it, he was among God's people 
at the church. The news that '' Baughman was at 
the Methodist Church, and was going to preach," 
flew like lightning through the town. The people 
came in crowds. The leading infidels of the place, 
who had been active in getting up the opposition to 
the meeting, came. The house could not hold the 
people. Mr. Baughman took the pulpit, opened the 
services with singing and prayer, and then read for 
his text, Isaiah liii, 1 : '' Who hath believed our 
report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord re- 
vealed ?" In his sermon, he took hold of the pillars 
of infidelity, and bore them off in triumph, and 
then razed the foundation thereof. Poor Infidelity! 
How pale and ghastly it appeared that day, under 
the mighty power of the truth ! Mr. Baughman 
preached again at night. By this time, hearts were 
yielding; sinners were crying for mercy; the Lord 
was among his people in converting power, and the 
shouts of new-born souls were heard. The meeting 
closed on Monday. Thirty-two united with the 
Church, and about that number were converted. 
Among them was Rev. Silas Rawson, now of the 



176 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Indiana Conference. This meeting was a great vic- 
tory for Methodism in Eichmond. It was held in 
the Summer of 1831. 

From that time the Methodist Episcopal Church 
has steadily advanced in that place. She had a 
hard struggle for a lodgment there. Sometimes her 
progress has been slow, and at other times more 
rapid. There are now two Methodist Churches, 
with large congregations, in that city. The little 
leaven, cast in that place by Rev. Russel Bigelow, 
still works. 



STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE. 177 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE. 

The Divine Being will always take care of those 
who trust in him, and unreservedly devote all 
their time and strength to his service. He will 
support, sustain, comfort, and deliver them in time 
of trouble. 

In the year 1828, when Stephen E. Beggs 
traveled the Wayne circuit, Mrs. H. who then re- 
sided in Eichmond, was deeply convicted for sin. 
She was awakened under a sermon preached by Mr. 
Beggs, from Psalm 1, 14, 15: ''Offer unto God 
thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most 
High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I 
will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." She 
had a long and hard struggle, but after weeks of 
deep penitency, found redemption in the blood of 
the Lamb ; her burden of guilt was taken away, 
and her "mourning turned into joy." So intense was 
the agony of her mind before she found peace in 
believing, that she was almost incapable of attend- 
ing to her domestic duties. So great was her joy 
when she felt that her sins were all forgiven, that she 
shouted aloud the praises of God, saying, ''Now, 
Lord, from this time forth, in weal or in woe, in 



178 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

sickness or in health, in tribulation, distress, poverty, 
persecution, living or dying, I am thine — thine for- 
ever !" She connected herself with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, casting in her lot with the little 
persecuted band in Pvichmond. 

Her husband was a very wicked man, violently 
opposed to her piety, particularly to her being 
among the Methodists, who, on account of their re- 
ligion, were not in the sweetest odor in the nostrils 
of most of the citizens of the town. He not only re- 
fused to render her any assistance, but by every means 
in his power strove to block up her way, prevent 
her from attending Church, and break her off from 
her piety, abusing the Methodists with oaths and 
curses, threatening her with violence if she did not 
desist from her religious course. He often crossed 
her in her domestic concerns, trying in every possi- 
ble way to get her angry, thinking if he could only 
aggravate her to madness, the victory would be 
won, and his triumph complete; but in this he 
failed. While Mrs. H. was kind and affection- 
ate, giving every necessary attention to the wants 
of her family, enduring the abuses heaped upon 
herself and the Methodists by her husband, never 
uttering an unkind word, or allowing a murmur to 
escape her lips, she did not allow his opposition or 
threats to deter her from the discharge of religious 
duties, but was faithful in all things, always at class 
and prayer meetings, and always in attendance upon 
the preaching of the Word. Her steadfastness con- 



STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE. 179 

tinued as time rolled along, though the opposition 
she met from her husband increased. 

A two days' meeting was appointed in the coun- 
try, a few miles from town. When the time drew 
near her husband forbade her going. She flew to 
the Lord, who was her " stronghold in the day of 
trouble." Eeceiving, as she believed, an answer 
that it was right for her to go, she made every ar- 
rangement she could for the comfort of her husband 
during her absence. When the time arrived she 
took her two children, and, being aided by some 
kind friends, made her way on Saturday to the 
place of the meeting, intending to return on Sun- 
day evening. As the meeting progressed she was 
greatly blessed. While she spoke in the love-feast 
on Sunday morning, the Holy Ghost came down; 
every heart was thrilled, and every eye melted to 
tears. It rained throughout the day on Sunday, 
which raised Whitewater beyond fording, and Mrs. 
H. could not return to town that evening. The 
rain continued Sunday night, so that no one from 
the house where she had been staying could get to 
the church. There being several persons at the 
house where she was, they held a prayer meeting. 
During the exercises, Mrs. H. was called upon 
to pray. She poured out her burdened soul to 
God. Never did woman plead for a husband with 
greater earnestness. 

During all this time her husband was at home, 
raging like a madman. When Sunday night came, 



180 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

and his wife did not return, he became furious. 
About midnight, concluding his wife had given her- 
self to the Methodists, caring nothing for him, he 
resolved to burn up his house and all it contained 
"and run away by the light." He went to work 
and packed up his clothes. When all was ready, 
and he was about to kindle the fire to consume his 
house, it occurred to him that " it would be too 
cruel to burn the house and all its contents and 
leave his wife with the children, and nothing to 
help herself with." After a moment's pause he 
concluded to leave the house and goods for her, but 
*'/ie would go and she should nevermore see his 
face." He took his pack and started, directing his 
steps toward Eaton, Ohio. When he had walked 
about four miles, suddenly the thought entered his 
mind, ''This is just what my wife and the Meth- 
odists desire — to get rid of me." With an oath he 
determined they should not be gratified. "He 
would go back and devil them as long as he lived." 
Retracing his steps, when he reached town day was 
dawning. He went to his house — which he had 
left a little after midnight, intending never to re- 
turn — and put away his clothes. His passion had 
been wrought up to such a pitch that he felt he 
must have revenge in some way. To this end he 
went to a liquor-saloon and took a potion, to nerve 
him more fully for his purpose. He then went out 
on the streets, intending to whip the first man that 
gave him a harsh word or an unpleasant look. To 



STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE. 181 

his utter discomfiture, every one he met was in a 
most pleasant humor. None gave him an unkind 
word. At this he was so chagrined he determined 
to commit suicide. But soon the thought occurred, 
*' This is what my wife and the Methodists desire — 
any thing to get rid of me." 

Toward noon of this day his wife returned home. 
As soon as she arrived he commenced cursing the 
Methodists, hoping thereby to provoke her to reply. 
He was again doomed to disappointment. In this 
he did not succeed, though he kept it up till a late 
hour at night. Finding this effort to provoke his 
wife into a dispute failed, he now tried another 
scheme — that was, to make her believe he would 
kill himself, hoping she would yield rather than 
''he should do that dreadful deed;" at least, that 
'' she would try to dissuade him from his purpose." 
Mrs. H. did not make any reply, but with her 
heart uplifted to God in earnest prayer felt that he 
would overrule all for her good. Being defeated 
again, he did not know what to do. 

In a few weeks after this, the first two days' 
meeting held in Eichmond was to come ofi*. When 
Mrs. H.'s husband heard that the meeting was ap- 
pointed, he gave her most positive orders not to 
bring any Methodists about the house at that time. 
She gave no promise, but as the time drew near, 
made what preparation she could to accommodate a 
few friends. When the meeting came on, she 
invited two mothers in Israel home with her, on 



182 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Saturday. Her husband, finding they were at his 
house, would not go in till a late hour at night. 
On Sunday morning he ventured to the breakfast- 
table. While at the table the old ladies invited 
him to go with them to the love-feast that morn- 
ing. Instantly he said within himself, '' That 's my 
chance ! The Methodists have door-keepers when 
they hold love-feasts, and they talk to those who 
are not members of the Church before they let 
them in. I will go to the door, but will not go in. 
When I get there and they begin to talk to me, I 
will give the Methodists — preachers and people — a 
round cursing in the hearing of them all, and then 
turn away. That will be some gratification to me." 
When the hour for love-feast arrived, he accom- 
panied his wife and the two old ladies to the school- 
house where the meeting was held. As they drew 
near the door, there being quite a crowd there, he 
concluded to fall back a little till all had passed in, 
" lest the door-keeper might not speak to him, and 
then he would lose the opportunity of doing up 
that job of cursing he had prepared himself for." 
When they had all passed in he stepped upon the 
door-step. The door-keeper swung the door wide 
open. He stepped in and halted. The door-keeper, 
putting his arm around, drew him a little forward 
and closed the door without saying a word. Mr. 
H. turned pale, and trembling from head to feet, 
took a seat. The love-feast was a time of power. 
He had never been in one before — had not intended 



STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE. 183 

to be in this, "but was caught in a trap." He felt 
that his distress of mind was intolerable — that if 
the torments of the damned in hell were any 
greater than he had been enduring for months, he 
could not bear the thought. In that love-feast he 
resolved if there was any such religion as his wife 
and the Methodists professed he would have it or 
die seeking. From this time he sought the pardon 
of his numerous sins. The struggle continued for 
weeks. So great was his distress of mind that 
much of the time he could neither eat nor sleep. 
Now did Mrs. H. most devoutly pray that God 
would have mercy upon her husband. He was 
clearly and powerfully converted at a camp meet- 
ing, joined the Church and became as zealous in 
the cause of the Redeemer as he had been in that 
of Satan, and as ardently attached to the Church 
as he had been bitterly opposed to it. How 
wondrous the mercy of God ! During all the time 
he was so fearfully opposing his wife in her pious 
course, the carnal mind v/as raging within him, fear- 
ful of being cast out. He was often heard to say, 
'' The steadfastness of my pious wife, with God's 
blessing, saved me." 

Had Mrs. H. yielded in the slightest degree, or 
faltered in her religious course, the probabilities 
are her husband never would have been converted, 
and she would have retrograded in her piety, if she 
had not entirely backslidden. The text from which 
the sermon was preached that was the instrument 



184 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

in lier awakening, made a lasting impression upon 
her mind: "Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay 
thy vows unto the Most High, and call upon me in 
the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou 
shalt glorify me." To this she clung with great 
tenacity. 



REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW. 185 



CHAPTER XXV. 

REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW. 

The writer feels his inability to present such a 
sketch of Eev. Russel Bigelow as his great worth 
and eminent usefulness demand; nevertheless, as 
this distinguished servant of God spent two years 
of the prime of his ministerial life in Indiana, he 
offers this brief tribute. The facts respecting his 
early life are meager. From a sketch in one of 
the published volumes by Bishop Edward Thom- 
son I find the following: 

*' Russel Bigelow was the third child, but eldest 
son, of respectable parents in the ordinary walks of 
life, both of whom survive him. He was born in 
Chesterfield, Cheshire, N. H., February 24, 1793. 
His opportunities for education were very limited, 
though he learned to read in early life, and in his 
very childhood was a diligent student of the Bible, 
and other religious books. When he was eight 
years old his father removed to Vermont. At the 
age of nine he was awakened and made a subject of 
converting grace under the preaching of the Meth- 
odist ministry, though he made no profession of re- 
ligion at this time. Soon after his family removed 

to a parish in Lower Canada, where religious meet- 

16 



186 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

ings were seldom held and religious persons rarely 
met with. He became a backslider in heart, and 
in this condition continued for four years. Under 
the earnest prayer of a sister, he was reclaimed, 
and found great peace in believing. He now — May, 
1806 — united with the society. Alluding to the 
repugnance which many feel to the reception of 
children into the Church, he often remarked, in 
later life, ' I expect to bless God eternally for the 
privilege of becoming a member while I was so 
young.' In his fifteenth year he felt that he would 
be called to preach. He continued to grow in 
grace, avoided the company of the thoughtless and 
gay, sought the society of the pious, and was de- 
risively called by his young acquaintances ' the 
Deacon,' or * the old Deacon.' In 1812 he re- 
moved to Worthington, 0. About this time, when 
he was nineteen years of age, he was licensed to 
exhort. Unexpected trials and embarrassments 
awaited him in the pulpit, under the pressure of 
which he resolved to give up the idea of preaching. 
A horror now seized his mind, from which he could 
find no relief but in a quiet submission to his con- 
victions of duty. 

''He was industrious in his habits, and labored 
successfully with his hands ; and though early 
urged to enter the itinerant ranks, he long delayed, 
being fearful lest he should 'run too fast.' His 
internal conflict was so great on one occasion that 
he 'wandered away.' Describing the feelings of 



REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW. 187 

his soul at this period, he says, 'I never came so 
near being willing to exchange situations with the 
reptiles of the earth as at this time.' 

"On the 15th of October, 1814, having been ad- 
mitted on trial in the Ohio Conference, he started 
for his first circuit, which was in Kentucky. His 
natural timidity, his youthful appearance, his low 
stature, his awkward manners, his unprepossessing 
face, and his slovenly dress, gave his congregations 
but poor promise of edification and instruction. 
Many a proud man sneered, and many a pious one 
prayed, as he entered the church with his saddle- 
bags in one hand and hat in the other, and bash- 
fully hid himself in the pulpit. It was soon appar- 
ent that he was humble and devoted; and as he 
progressed in his discourse, the wicked lost their 
contempt, and the good their mortification; the 
sluggish were aroused, and the intelligent were 
amazed; arrows of conviction flew thick and fast; 
sinners were slain on the right and left ; the aton- 
ing Lamb was lifted up, and the dead were made 
alive by his blood. 

'' His next circuit was Miami, on which he was 
associated with A. Cummins. In 1816, after hav- 
ing been ordained deacon, he was appointed to Law- 
renceburg circuit, Indiana, where he was favored 
with the counsel of Allen "Wiley, who was this year 
his beloved colleague. During this year he was 
married to Margaret Irwin, by whom he had seven 
children, who all survived him. In his journal he 



188 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

writes concerning his marriage these significant 
words, which the young would do well to ponder : 
^ I now think it would have been better had I re- 
mained single a few years longer.' His domestic 
embarrassments did not, however, diminish his 
domestic attachments." 

Lawrenceburg was, at this time, 1817, the most 
important town in the State. Her citizens were 
intelligent. Among them were some of the most 
talented men of the West. The circuit was 'a la- 
borious one to travel, covering a large scope of 
country. Mr. Bigelow labored on this circuit with 
great acceptability to the people. His talents, as a 
preacher, were much admired. 

In 1823 he was sent to Whitewater circuit, with 
George Gatch for his colleague, which brought him 
back into the State. This was also a large circuit, 
embracing at that time all of what is now Frank- 
lin, Union, Wayne, and parts of Randolph, Henry, 
and Fayette counties. He located his family, for 
the year, in Centerville, the county seat of Wayne 
county, as it was the most central point in his 
circuit. 

Mr. Bigelow was about medium hight, slender 
frame, and of feeble, physical constitution. His 
head was large for a man of his stature, forehead 
high, and very prominent. His piety was of the 
deepest character. No one doubted it. It mani- 
fested itself in his countenance, words, and actions. 
He exhibited, at all times, that he possessed "the 



REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW. 189 

spirit of Christ." Any one in his company would 
soon feel that he was in the presence of a man of 
God. And yet no one could form a proper estimate 
of his talents as a preacher, from his appearance. 
He was not what would generally be called a fine- 
looking man. 

He was mighty in the Scriptures. He made them 
his daily study. The writer has heard him say, 
that he had *'read the Bible through, several times, 
on his knees." He made it "the man of his coun- 
sel," and could have said, "I have hid thy law 
within my heart." He had a logical mind, and was 
a very close reasoner. He was a man of great 
humility — never exalted in his own estimation — • 
much inclined to look upon his pulpit efforts as be- 
ing feeble. Sometimes he felt much dejected after 
preaching, considering his efforts, "so poor, so in- 
efficient in accomplishing good." On one occasion 
he preached a sermon on Saturday, at a quarterly 
meeting, which he thought was an exceedingly fee- 
ble effort. For sometime afterward he reproached 
himself bitterly for having made an entire failure — 
one "that accomplished no good." Three months 
after this, at the next quarterly meeting held in 
the same place, in the love-feast on Sunday morn- 
ing, three young men arose in succession and pro- 
fessed to have obtained the pardon of their sins, 
stating that they had been awakened under the ser- 
mon preached by Mr. Bigelow, on Saturday, at the 
last quarterly meeting, and were thereby led to 



190 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

seek salvation. That was the sermon which Mr. 
Bigelow thought ''had accomplished no good." 

When he arose in the pulpit to open the services 
a stranger would not call him graceful, nor would 
expectation be very high. But soon it would be 
discovered that a man of master mind stood before 
the congregation. 

Kev. J. B. Finley, in his Autobiography, gives 
the following account in regard to Mr. Bigelow. It 
occurred at Steubenville, Ohio, during the session of 
the Conference, held at that place. Mr. Finley being 
presiding elder of the district, was requested to assist 
in appointing the preachers to their places of lodg- 
ing, during the session of the Conference. He says : 
''A request was handed to me by one of the stew- 
ards, from a gentleman of wealth, that if I would 
send him one of our most talented ministers, he 
would cheerfully keep him during the Conference. 
The gentleman was a member of the Episcopal 
Church, and had a worthy family, rather more than 
ordinarily refined, and enjoying all such elegancies 
of life as a country village would afford. Wishing to 
gratify him, I sent Eussel Bigelow to be his guest. 
Now, Bussel was dressed in plain, homespun ap- 
parel, cut and made with as much skill as home 
could furnish. It was not exactly that d la mode 
which suits fashionable life. The young Miss in 
the parlor cast many sidelong glances at the young 
preacher, who diffidently sat composing his features, 
and gazing at the various objects around him. 



EEV. RUSSEL BIGELOW. ^ 191 

Meeting the steward, Mr. said,/! do not think 

you have treated me right in se^^ing me such a 
common, homespun-looking man.'( At this the stew- 
ard came to me in great haste, sayibgMr. was 

displeased. 'Well,' said I, 'his reque^ has been 
complied with; he asked for a talented man, a,nd I 
have sent him the most talented man we have. Go 
and tell him that I wish him and his family to go 
to the Presbyterian Church to-morrow and hear 
him preach, and then if they are dissatisfied, I will 
remove him.' 

"Sabbath came. The minister in homespun as- 
cended the desk ; all eyes were upon him. ' How 
finely he reads !' says . ' What distinct articula- 
tion !' said Mr. to his lady as they sat in the 

pew. 'Dear me,' said the daughter, 'how beauti- 
fully our country preacher reads poetry !' Then 
followed the prayer; and when, with warm heart, 
he prayed for the families who had, with generous 
hospitality, thrown open their houses for the enter- 
tainment of God's servants, the silent tear and half- 
suppressed sigh told of his power oyer the heart. 

"He preached, and it was only as Eussel Bigelow 
of sainted memory could preach. Indeed, it is said 
he excelled himself on that occasion. The efi'ect 
upon the hearers was powerful, and upon none more 
so than upon his worthy host and family, who took 
him home, and sent for me to ask my pardon, re- 
marking that he had never heard such a sermon in 
all his life." 



192 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Mr. Bigelow, from the time lie read his text to 
the close of his sermon, would remind you of the 
most skillful master- mechanic from the time that 
mechanic made the first mark upon the timber with 
his square and compass, through all the operation, 
till the superstructure was reared up complete in 
every part, each piece of timber fitting exactly in 
its place, the whole, when completed, presenting the 
most beautiful specimen of architectural skill. Few 
men, if any, excelled him in analyzing a subject. 
He exhibited all its parts, and then brought all to- 
gether in one complete whole. His sermons pre- 
sented the most beautiful symmetry — perfect in every 
part. As he advanced in his discourse, the inspira- 
tion increased, his voice rising and swelling, his 
countenance glowing with increasing luster as he 
became more and more absorbed in his subject, till 
he seemed to be lost to every thing else. He would 
hold his congregation as if spell-bound, carrying his 
hearers with him, till they, too, like himself, lost 
sight of every thing but the subject he was unfold- 
ing before them. 

His eloquence was peculiar to himself — difficult 
to describe. No one can form a correct idea of his 
overwhelming pulpit power who never heard him. 
In 1823, when he traveled Whitewater circuit, he 
was requested to preach a sermon in Centerville on 
the fourth day of July, which he consented to do. 
The word went out through all the country round 
about. When the day arrived the people came in 



REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW. 193 

from six and eight miles. The congregation was 
large, men of the legal and medical professions 
being generally present. When the hour for the 
services to commence arrived, after the opening 
prayer Mr. Bigelow read for his text, '^ He hath 
not dealt so with any nation." Psalm cxlvii, 20. We 
can not attempt at this distant period to give a de- 
scription of the sermon further than to say that its 
effect on the audience was overwhelming, making 
an impression upon the hearts and minds of many 
who heard it that time can never erase. It was, 
perhaps, the greatest sermon of his life. All went 
away impressed as they never had been before with 
the great truth that '' the Lord reigneth " among 
the nations of the earth. In the forty-third year 
of his age, on July 1, 1835, in the city of Colum- 
bus, Ohio, this holy man of God passed away from 
earth to heaven. The Church felt deeply his loss, 
for he was greatly beloved. I can but quote again 
the words of Bishop Thomson: 

"Russel Bigelow had the manners of a gentle- 
man, the graces of a Christian, and the gifts of an 
orator. His favorite theme was the atonement. 
This gave animation to his hopes, fire to his tongue, 
luster to his discourses, harmony to his doctrines, 
and efficacy to his labors. On all the cardinal doc- 
trines of the Gospel he was clear and uncompromis- 
ing, eliminating them from error with a hand that 
never wanted cunning, and heart that never wanted 

courage. His favorite book was the Bible, which 

17 



194 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

lie was accustomed to study through and through, 
by course, upon his knees. 

'' His favorite refreshment was prayer. To this he 
devoted the first moments after he rose from his 
bed. At eight o'clock he retired again for closet 
devotion. For the last five years of his life, how- 
ever, in order that he might be at the throne of 
grace at the same time that a beloved brother — 
Eev. Mr. S. — was there, he changed the hour to 
nine o'clock. At midday he sought again the Sun 
of Kighteousness ; three o'clock, and twilight, and 
the hour before retiring to rest, were other periods 
when he devoutly and privately communed with 
God. Thus, morning, noon, and night — at nine, at 
three, and at twilight, did this good man regularly 
retire to his ^ closet.' The hour which he most 
prized was twilight, because it was associated with 
his regeneration. At this time he was accustomed 
to remember every preacher on his district, and 
every awakened person who had within the last 
three months solicited an interest in his prayers. 
He would bring them, name by name, before God," 
dwelling upon the peculiar dangers, or trials, or 
wants of each case as a father would plead for his 
children. 

'^ His family prayers were marked by all the fer- 
vor and energy of his more public ministration. 
Indeed, earnestness marked all his labors. Whether 
in private or public, teaching in the Sabbath school, 
praying at the altar, preaching on the camp-ground. 



EEV. EUSSEL BIGELOW. 195 

presiding in the Conference, or writing in the com- 
mittee-room, he was a man of zeal. Love animated 
and sustained him ; so that his zeal was tempered 
with sweetness, his firmness with mildness, his 
courage with tenderness, and his godly daring with 
a most subduing affection, as if, like his Master, he 
would ^ draw all men unto him.' Just to con- 
scientiousness, exact to scrupulousness, and orderly 
as a field-marshal, he avoided even the appearance 
of evil. 

"Long-suffering and forbearing, his expostulations 
with sinners were in tones of mercy, till mercy 
ceased to be a virtue, when he rose with the 
majesty of a monarch to assert the dignity of law 
in tones that made the rebellious tremble. This, 
however, was not often the case. His charity cov- 
ered a multitude of sins. It was ingenious perhaps 
to a fault, in devising excuses for offenders, and 
putting the most favorable aspects upon every case. 

" At the root of all his excellencies was a mighty 
faith. He believed God implicitly ; relied upon him 
unwaveringly ; wrestled with him victoriously ; con- 
tinuing in prayer till petition burst into thanks- 
giving." 



196 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

REV. ALLEN WILEY. 

The subject of this sketch was among the first, if 
not the first man licensed to preach by a quarterly- 
conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 
State of Indiana. Nearly all his Christian and 
ministerial life being spent in Indiana, he deserves 
a place in every record of the rise and progress of 
Methodism in the State. 

'' The Life and Times of Eev. Allen Wiley, by 
Eev. F. C. Holliday," has been given to the Church 
and the world. Though in that volume a more ex- 
tended notice of the life and labors of Mr. Wiley is 
given, the writer, having known him from early 
boyhood, would bear some humble testimony to his 
worth. 

Allen Wiley was born in Frederick county, Vir- 
ginia, 1789. When he was some nine years old his 
father emigrated to the State of Kentucky. In the 
Fall of 1804 his father removed to the Territory 
of Indiana and settled in the Whitewater country, 
not far from where the town of Harrison now 
stands. Here he grew up to manhood and married 
a wife. He was awakened to the subject of salva- 
tion in family prayer, led by a brother of his wife. 



EEV. ALLEN WILEY. 197 

In 1810, in the twenty-second year of his age, 
under the ministry of Eev. Moses Grume, he united 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was con- 
verted in a love-feast meeting a few months after- 
ward. It was not long after that he was licensed 
to exhort, for it was soon discovered that he had 
talents for great usefulness if they were cultivated. 
July, 1813, he was licensed to preach. 

In December, 1816, he was employed by the pre- 
siding elder to travel Lawrenceburg circuit with 
Eev. Eussel Bigelow, who was in charge. This cir- 
cuit embraced the neighborhood where Mr. "Wiley 
resided. Here, where he had reached his manhood, 
where he had married, and where he had his home, 
he commenced his itinerant labors. At the close of 
this Conference year, in the Summer of 1817, he 
was admitted on trial into the Ohio Annual Confer- 
ence. Having labored with so much acceptability 
to the people on Lawrenceburg circuit, he was ap- 
pointed to that circuit as junior preacher, with 
Samuel West as preacher in charge. In those days 
it was a rare thing to put a man in charge the first 
year he was admitted into the traveling connection. 
They were generally placed as junior preachers, 
with some man of experience in charge, to teach 
them how to do the work of an itinerant preacher; 
how to meet the classes, hold prayer meetings, visit 
the families, and administer the Discipline of the 
Church. 

Mr. "Wiley traveled large and laborious circuits 



198 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

for several years, which subjected him to great toil, 
exposure, and privation. He served the Church 
many years as presiding elder, and filled the most 
important stations in Indiana. His last appoint- 
ment was to Centenary station. New Albany. 

His early opportunities for securing an education 
were not good, his early boyhood and youth, from 
the time he was about nine years of age, being spent 
in the backwoods of Kentucky and in the wilds of 
Indiana. Up to manhood, though his thirst for 
knowledge was great, he had not been able to do 
more than learn to read and write, and study com- 
mon arithmetic. Colleges and high schools were 
not in the country, and his father did not possess 
the means to send him to the old States to go to 
school. After his conversion, and particularly after 
he was licensed to preach, his thirst for an educa- 
tion was greatly increased ; and though he had com- 
menced opening a farm in the dense forest, with a 
young and increasing family around him, he determ- 
ined to cultivate his mind and increase his informa- 
tion in science and literature. He procured what 
books he could, and commenced anew his studies 
without a teacher. Having his land to clear, fence, 
and cultivate, in order to procure sustenance for 
his family, he had no time to devote to study except 
during the hours of early morn, and the night after 
he had finished his daily toil, and during those in- 
tervals when it was necessary to take some relax- 
ation from labor. His rule was to carry his 



EEV. ALLEN WILEY. 199 

book witli him, and when he found it necessary to 
sit down a moment to rest, he would take it up and 
apply his mind with all the energy he possessed. 
In this way he spent something more than two 
years, not allowing one moment to run to waste, 
taking no more time for sleep than was absolutely 
necessary. In the course of one Spring and Sum- 
mer he cleared several acres of ground, made the 
rails and fenced it, and cultivated his fields, and 
studied the English grammar thoroughly. 

After he entered the itinerancy he pursued his 
studies with increased energy. The circuits being 
large, and having as a general thing to preach every 
day through the week and twice on the Sabbath, be- 
sides meeting the classes, with much traveling to do 
between his appointments, he had no time for study, 
except when riding on horseback, or at night, and 
in the morning before he started on his way. These 
opportunities he improved to the best advantage. 
In this way, while traveling circuits and districts, 
without an instructor, he acquired a knowledge of 
the Latin, the Greek, and Hebrew languages. 
There were few, if any, better Latin, Greek, or He- 
brew scholars in the West than Mr. Wiley. On 
one occasion, while he was presiding elder, he met, 
by invitation, several ladies and gentlemen in a so- 
cial circle. Among the number present was a young 
M. D. who had just entered upon his profession. 
He, knowing that Mr. Wiley was a Greek scholar, 
was very loquacious on the subject of Greek litera- 



200 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

ture, professing to be an adept himself. The con- 
versation had not proceeded far till Mr. Wiley was 
impressed that this young M. D.'s knowledge of 
Greek was very superficial. He determined to test 
him. Accordingly, he drew from his pocket a Greek 
Testament, and, handing it to the doctor, requested 
him to read a portion and give his translation of 
it. Perceiving the doctor was much embarrassed, 
Mr. "Wiley requested him to read a particular 
text. The young M. D., with increased embar- 
rassment, remarked that ''he was, indeed, very rusty 
in Greek," and asked to be excused. Mr. Wiley 
excused him, and there the conversation ended on 
the subject of the Greek classics. 

Mr. Wiley had a most cordial dislike to a pedant — 
to one who professed to be more learned than he 
really was. His ambition was to be thorough in 
every study he commenced, and not allow himself 
to be superficial in any thing. Of every subject he 
took hold he endeavored to search it to the bottom. 
Theology was his main study. In that he took 
great and constant delight. All his other studies 
were for the purpose of aiding him in his theolog- 
ical studies. He was a profound theologian. 

If universities and colleges had been as lavish in 
conferring the degrees of A. M. and D. D. in the 
days of Mr. Wiley as now, he would doubtless have 
received both the degrees, for no man in Indiana 
was more worthy. 

He was of medium hight, agile, with a well-set 



EEV. ALLEN WILEY. 201 

physical frame, walked erect, with quick step, and 
to the end of his life eschewed the use of a walking- 
cane. It was a source of much annoyance to him to 
see young ministers, in the full vigor of manhood, 
carrying a walking-stick. 

His hair was dark, and quite thin on his head. 
In his latter years he became bald. His head was 
small, but well proportioned, with a finely-devel- 
oped forehead. His mouth was finely curved, a 
dimple in his chin, his complexion fair, and when 
pleased he wore a very prepossessing smile. Per- 
haps he was never known to laugh aloud during the 
whole course of his ministerial life. 

His countenance, when in the pulpit, was solemn, 
showing to all who looked upon him that he had a 
sense of the Divine presence, and felt that to God 
he should give an account for every word he ut- 
tered. He never while preaching allowed himself 
to say a light or foolish thing. It has often been 
remarked that the solemn countenance and manner 
of Allen "Wiley in the pulpit made a deeper impres- 
sion for good than the sermons of some ministers. 

His voice was pleasant when in conversation, and 
was not unpleasant when he was preaching, though it 
was somewhat monotonous — sometimes rather heavy. 
There were inflections, but they were usually the 
same, rising to a certain pitch and continuing for a 
sentence or two, then falling to a lower key. In 
his tones, however, there was something peculiarly 
solemn. 



202 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

As a pastor lie was most indefatigable — faithfully- 
visiting all the members of his flock, paying special 
attention to the sick, aged, and poor. He was 
punctual in filling all his engagements — seldom be- 
hind the hour to fill a private appointment, or meet 
a public congregation. He never allowed himself 
to be "behind the time." He was for many years 
one of the leading men of the Indiana Conference, 
always taking great interest and an active part in 
all the business of the Conference, always in his 
place, usually occupying the same seat during the 
entire session. It seldom, if ever, occurred that 
Allen Wiley was out of his place and had to be 
sent for when any thing was before the Conference 
in connection with which he was needed. 

As a preacher he was systematic in the arrange- 
ment of his sermons. He was an expounder of the 
Holy Scriptures. He never indulged in fancy, nor 
made an efibrt to embellish his discourses — seldom 
relating an anecdote. He did not so much charm 
his hearers as he impressed them with a sense of 
the importance of his subject, fixing the text firmly 
in the mind. His utterances were distinct. He 
always spoke with earnestness, exhibiting that he 
felt fully all he said, and that the truths he was 
presenting were vital to the salvation of souls. No 
one ever thought that Allen Wiley preached merely 
to fill his appointment, or to make a display of his 
knowledge. 

In 1818, when he traveled the Whitewater cir- 



REV. ALLEN WILEY. 203 

cuit, he held a two days' meeting in Salisbury, 
which was then the county seat of Wayne. The 
services were held in the court house, commencing 
on Saturday. Mr. Wiley being a great favorite 
with the people they came in from all the surround- 
ing country, some a distance of twenty miles. He 
preached an impressive sermon Saturday. On Sun- 
day, when the hour for ♦ preaching arrived, the 
court-house was crowded to its utmost capacity. 
Mr. Wiley came in, walked up to the judge's bench, 
and kneeled a short time in silent prayer. When 
he arose, on turning round, facing the audience, he 
discovered upon the hand-board the following note: 
''Preach from this text to-day and I will hear 
you : 'And God said unto Moses, I am that i am ; 
and he said. Thus shalt thou say unto the children 
of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you.' " Exodus 
iii, 14. He stood for a moment, the audience per- 
ceiving that something was moving his soul. He 
again kneeled down and remained some time in 
silent prayer. When he arose he announced his 
hymn; the congregation joined in singing; after 
which he made the opening prayer. In that 
prayer most earnestly did he plead for Divine 
help while he should that day stand as an " em- 
bassador for Christ," and that the Holy Spirit 
might carry the Word with power to the heart of 
some one in the congregation unknown to him, yet 
known to God. 

Divine power rested upon the audience while 



204 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

he was praying. Many hearts were touched. 
After prayer he read the note he had found upon 
the hand-board, then opened his Bible and an- 
nounced his text, as requested. For about the 
space of two hours he unfolded the text with a 
pathos and power that told upon the congregation. 
In those days Arianism was rife in that region, but 
on this occasion it received a blow from which it 
never recovered. Many who heard that sermon, 
and continued to hear Mr. Wiley for many years 
afterward, considered it the great sermon of his 
life. He was often, afterward, heard to say that 
he had never, on any other occasion, felt so sensibly 
" the power of Christ resting upon him." It was 
ascertained that the note was written by a young 
lawyer whose name was Dally. He soon after that 
left the country and went to New Orleans. 

Mr. Wiley was considered one of the ablest 
preachers of the West, and will be remembered as 
long as those live who had the privilege of hearing 
him. Eleven years he traveled laborious circuits, 
five years he was stationed in the most important 
towns in Indiana, fourteen years he faithfully dis- 
charged the duties of presiding elder. He was 
elected delegate to the General Conference four 
times in succession. He served one term as a 
member of the Western Book Committee at Cincin- 
nati, and was for several years one of the Trustees 
of Indiana Asbury University. He died in Ve-^ 
vay, Indiana, July 23, 1848. His death was 



EEV. ALLEN WILEY. 205 

caused by an injury whicli lie received while per- 
forming some manual labor about the premises of a 
new residence he was preparing. His injury was 
not thought at first to be serious, but in a short 
time it proved fatal. When the fact was made 
known to him it did not alarm him. He im- 
mediately arranged all his temporal affairs, and on 
the holy Sabbath he quietly fell asleep in Jesus, in 
the fifty-ninth year of his age, and the thirty-fifth 
of his ministry. 



206 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTEK XXVII. 

EEV. NEHEMIAH B. GRIFFITH. 

Mr. Griffith was born in Whitehall, Washing- 
ton county, New York, 1798. In the eighteenth 
year of his age, with his father's family, he emi- 
grated to the State of Ohio. His surroundings in 
youth were such as led him into the gayest and 
most fashionable circles of society. Being of ready 
wit, of active mind, and lively temperament, he 
was charmed by the giddy mazes of the dance, and 
became exceedingly fond of the terpsichorean art. 
He was a great favorite in the circle in which he 
moved. After he became pious he greatly lamented 
the follies of his youth, and bore constant testimony 
to the pernicious influences of the ball-room. 

When about twenty-one years of age, through the 
instrumentality of Eev. William H. Eaper, he was 
awakened, converted, and brought into the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. In a few months afterward, 
he received the blessing of entire sanctification. 
From this time to the close of his life he was 
wholly consecrated to the Lord. His talents, piety, 
and zeal were such, that the Church soon licensed 
him to preach, and in the Fall of 1822 he was ad- 
mitted on trial into the Ohio Conference. 

All his itinerant life, except one year, was spent 



EEV. NEHEMIAH B. GRIFFITH. 207 

in Indiana. His first field of labor was Madison cir- 
cuit, as junior preacher. His second, Wilmington 
circuit, in Ohio. Here he was in charge and alone. 
His third appointment was to Whitewater circuit as 
junior preacher. This brought him back into Indi- 
ana. His fourth field of labor was Connersville cir- 
cuit, where he was in charge with a colleague. His 
fifth appointment was to Rushville, where he labored 
alone. His sixth was to Indianapolis, alone. His 
seventh was to Lawrenceburg, with E. Gr. Wood 
for a colleague. His eighth returned him in charge 
of Lawrenceburg circuit, with E. S. Eobinson for 
a colleague. 

In the Fall of 1830 he was sent as the first mis- 
sionary to Fort Wayne. This place was remote 
from any other field of labor. It was connected 
with the Madison district, and the presiding elder, 
Kev. Allen Wiley, in visiting Fort Wayne this year 
to hold a quarterly meeting, had to travel through 
a wilderness of some thirty miles, which was in- 
habited by Indians. This was a hard field for Mr. 
Griffith to cultivate, subjecting him to many perils 
and privations. 

In the Fall of 1831 he was sent to South Bend 
mission. Again he was called upon to break up 
new ground. That portion of Indiana was then be- 
ing rapidly settled. The people generally lived in 
log-cabins. Mr. Griffith, being the first itinerant 
preacher sent among them, he had to form his circuit 
and do all his preaching in the cabins of the settlers. 



208 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

In the Fall of 1832 he was sent to Lafayette, 
with Eichard Hargrave for his colleague. The next 
year he was returned to Lafayette, with H. Vreden- 
burg as junior preacher. This was his last field of 
labor. Here he closed up his itinerancy, and was 
transferred to the New Jerusalem above, not to preach, 
but to join in the song of the redeemed, and swell 
louder the anthem of praise, "Unto Him that loved 
us, and hath washed us from our sins in his own 
blood." 

On the twenty-second day of August, 1834, at 
his father's house in St. Joseph county, Indiana, 
he died in holy triumph, shouting with his expiring 
breath, " Glory ! glory ! glory ! sweet heaven ! I am 
coming!" Thus passed away one of the most deeply- 
pious and zealous ministers of the Lord Jesus that 
ever labored in Indiana. Mr. Griffith was a close 
student, and made great proficiency in his theolog- 
ical studies. He dearly loved the doctrine and Dis- 
cipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He de- 
voted all his energies, physical and mental, to the 
cause of his Master. He made no compromise with 
sin — never allowing any one to transgress the Di- 
vine law in his presence unreproved. If, in the day 
of judgment, there are any ministers whose skirts 
are found clear of the blood of souls, Nehemiah B. 
Griffith will be among them. 

In 1829, when traveling the Lawrenceburg circuit, 
as he was on his way to his appointment one Sab- 
bath morning, he saw a young man fishing in Hogan. 



REV. NEHEMIAH B. GRIFFITH. 209 

Mr. Griffith turned aside to where he was and 
faithfully reproved him, warning him of the conse- 
quences of Sabbath desecration, and tenderly and 
kindly invited him to lay aside his fishing-rod and go 
with him to the house of worship and give his heart 
to God. The young man declined, saying he would 
risk the consequences. Mr. Griffith left him and 
rode on to his appointment with a sad heart, feel- 
ing that the judgments of the Almighty might soon 
overtake him. Before nine o'clock the next morning 
that young man's soul was in the eternal world. He 
undertook to drive a span of fractious, fiery horses 
in the town of Lawrenceburg. They ran off with 
the vehicle and threw him against the curb-stone, 
dashing out his brains, and killing him instantly. 
Mr. Griffith gave him the last warning he ever re- 
ceived, improving the last opportunity to do so. 

Mr. Griffith had a pleasant voice, and was a 
fluent speaker. His sermons were well arranged, 
logical, and seldom failed to make a deep impression 
upon those who heard them. He had great power 
with God in prayer. Revival influence attended his 
labors wherever he went. He brought many souls 
to Christ, and will have many stars in the crown of 
his rejoicing. He was a holy man of God — a burn- 
ing, and shining light. His sun went down in the 
meridian of life, but it sat in a clear sky. Servant 
of God! though years have passed away since thy 
voice was hushed in death, thou art still remem- 
bered in Indiana! 

18 



210 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXYIII. 

THE YOUNG LAWYER. 

J. H. was born in one of the eastern counties of 
Indiana when the country was new. During his 
early boyhood the sources of information and op- 
portunities for cultivating his mind were very lim- 
ited. These being used to the best advantage he 
soon learned to read, and exhibited quite a fondness 
for books. As he advanced toward manhood, and 
his intellect began to be developed, he occasionally 
had thoughts of future greatness. He had a fond- 
ness for disputation, and evinced considerable skill 
in managing a controversy with his juvenile asso- 
ciates. By close application and the improvement 
of the opportunities afforded him, as well as he could, 
by the time of his arrival at manhood, he had ac- 
quired, for those days, a fair English education. 
After some deliberation as to his course in life he 
determined to devote himself to the study and pro- 
fession of the law. Accordingly some law-books 
were procured, a preceptor engaged, and young H. 
entered upon the study of the law. Devoting all 
his energies to his studies he made rapid progress, 
and was, as soon as could reasonably have been ex- 
pected, licensed to practice and admitted to the bar. 



THE YOUNG LAWYER. 211 

His thouglits now turned upon where lie could 
locate himself and enter upon his profession. He 
placed what few articles of apparel he possessed in 
a knapsack, took that upon his back and set out on 
foot in search of a location. Directing his steps 
westward he, after several days' travel, late in the 
afternoon arrived at the town of N. and took 
lodgings at the hotel. IST. was the county seat of 
H. county, and was situated on one of the finest 
rivers in Indiana. The town had but few inhabit- 
ants, the county having just been organized. When 
morning came he went forth to reconnoiter the 
place and to see what the prospect was. After 
spending most of the day in surveying the town, 
and in conversation with the citizens as to the pros- 
pects of their new county, he concluded to make an 
effort to establish himself there as a lawyer. His 
appearance did not impress the people very favora- 
bly as to his legal ability. His garments were of 
rough texture and much worn; he had come to the 
place a pedestrian, not on horseback nor in a 
coach. '' He does not look much like a lawyer," 
the people said. Mr. H. discovered that the citi- 
zens were indisposed to recognize him as an ''At- 
torney." He knew his appearance was not showy, 
that he was poor and among strangers. Feeling 
that his success in his profession depended upon his 
energy and faithfulness to business, he determined 
not to yield to the discouragements that surrounded 
him. After having made considerable effort he 



212 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

succeeded in obtaining a room for an office. It was 
necessary to save what little money he had to pay 
his board, and therefore he could not spend much 
in furnishing his office. A rough writing-table and 
one chair constituted his office furniture. One copy 
of the "Statute Laws of Indiana" constituted his 
library. 

Thus equipped our young lawyer started off in his 
profession. It was not very long till a case of liti- 
gation occurred before a justice of the peace. He 
was employed as attorney for one of the parties. 
Though in the management of this case he did not 
show himself to be very learned in the law, he dis- 
played such tact and skill as to attract the atten- 
tion of all who attended the trial. When the case 
was decided it was in favor of Mr. H.'s client, not- 
withstanding the counsel for the opposite party was 
considered able. Having gained his cause in this, 
his debut, his way was open, and the people began 
to recognize him as a lawyer. In the course of a 
few months he was pretty well established in the 
practice of law. He enlarged his library as rapidly 
as he could procure means. He was a close stu- 
dent, and gave his undivided attention to every case 
in which he was employed. In the course of twelve 
months he had quite an extensive practice. 

Unfortunately for Mr. H. his parents were not 
religious. His moral training had all been wrong. 
He had been taught to look upon Christianity with 
disdain, and upon all who made its profession with 



THE YOUNG LAWYER. 213 

distrust. Thus, in early life, his mind received a 
strong bias against every thing like piety. When 
about eighteen years of age his attention was 
called to the system of Universalism. The funda- 
mental principle of this system, that *' all men will 
be holy and happy in a future state," delighted 
him. He commenced reading the Scriptures in 
order to fortify himself so as to defend that doc- 
trine. He had not continued this course of reading 
long till he was convinced that the system was not 
taught in the Bible — that the Bible clearly taught 
the doctrine of man's accountability to his Maker ; 
that it also taught a future general judgment, and 
the future punishment of the finally impenitent. 
There was now no alternative left but to embrace 
'' orthodoxy " or renounce the Bible as a reve- 
lation from God, and espouse infidelity. He chose 
the latter. From the time he made this choice he 
boldly avowed himself an infidel. 

Being naturally fond of controversy, and his pro- 
fession leading him into constant debate, in all his 
leisure hours he sought opportunities to get into 
a dispute with some one on his favorite, ''Infidelity 
versus Christianity." He delighted greatly in con- 
founding those who entered into an argument with 
him. Persons who were not well posted in the 
Scriptures or in logic could not meet his sophistries 
or correct his misquotations from the Old and New 
Testaments, for he, like Voltaire and other infidels, 
made his quotations from the writings of infidels 



214 INDIANA MISCELLANY. ' 

instead of the Bible; hence they were seldom cor- 
rect. He was bold in declaring the " Bible to be 
the production of priestcraft, the religion of the 
Lord Jesus a cunningly-devised fable, and that 
Christianity would do for weak-minded men and 
women; but strong-minded, intellectual persons 
could not be beguiled into its support." 

He was so outspoken in his infidelity that his 
society was shunned by many Christians; but the 
wicked gathered around him, and some of them 
were delighted to hear him denounce the Bible, and 
Christianity, and piety. His success in his profes- 
sion was such as to bring a large amount of busi- 
ness into his hands, and he bade fair to take a high 
position as a lawyer. 

The population of the town and country rapidly 
increased. Some families that came in were from 
the New England States. Among those latter was 
a Mr. E., whose wife's sister. Miss A., accompanied 
them. She had been pretty well educated, but was 
not pious; she was handsome, proud, of cheerful 
spirits, and quite attractive. She had not been 
long in the place till Mr. H. was charmed by her 
appearance. He sought an opportunity to make her 
acquaintance. Their acquaintance ripened into at- 
tachment, and after a few months they were united 
at Hymen's altar. Their union seemed to be a 
happy one, and Mr. H. prosecuted his profession 
with increased energy. 

About one year after his marriage a Methodist 



THE YOUNG LAWYEE. 215 

camp meeting was held a few miles from IST. For 
some reason Mr. H. attended, a thing very uncom- 
mon for him, as he seldom visited the place of wor- 
ship. While at the camp meeting he was observed 
to give special attention to the services. This was 
still further astonishing to those who knew him, 
and caused various conjectures as to what were his 
motives. None had known him to treat religious 
worship with so much respect. After the close of 
this camp meeting he frequently attended the 
Thursday night prayer meetings in town, always 
taking a seat in the rear of the congregation near 
the door. About the close of the prayer meeting 
he would retire, apparently desiring to be unnoticed. 
This unusual course was observed, and caused remark 
and anxiety. Some thought his object was to obtain 
something of which he could make sport in his at- 
tacks upon Christianity, but no one ventured to 
question him on the subject. He continued thus to 
attend the prayer meetings for some considerable 
length of time. 

After months had passed, Mr. H. was called to a 
neighboring village on professional business. The 
suit in which he was engaged was one of great in- 
terest to the parties. Able counsel had been em- 
ployed on the opposite side. The contest was a 
severe one, and great forensic skill was displayed by 
the attorneys on both sides. Mr. H. became much 
enlisted and put forth his best effort, exhausting 
much of his physical strength. 



216 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

For some time an insidious disease had been lurk- 
ing in his system, though unknown to himself or 
his friends, and by the close of the trial he was 
taken violently ill. He returned home about night- 
fall, very sick, and took his bed to rise no more. A 
physician was immediately summoned who exercised 
all his medical skill, but to no avail. The next day he 
was much worse and seemed to be rapidly sinking into 
the arms of death. Several of the citizens called to 
see him. Among them was Mr. S., a Methodist class- 
leader. After all had retired or were retiring, save 
those who were nursing, Mr. H. fixed his eyes upon 
Mr. S. as he, too, was leaving, and with a look ex- 
pressive of the most intense anxiety and emotion 
said, ''Mr. S., call again soon." Mr. S., promising 
compliance, left the room under a strong impression 
that the last moments of Mr. H. were near; that 
his sun of life was fast declining ; that a few more 
hours, or days at most, would end his earthly career, 
and the realities of eternity would reveal his sys- 
tem of infidelity to be false, woefully false — pon- 
dering, too, in his own mind what that look, so 
expressive, which seemed to say there was a world of 
commotion within; that some powerful passions or 
principles were contending for the mastery, he 
could but inquire what it all meant ; whether it 
could be possible his infidelity, upon which he had 
seemed to rely with so much confidence, was now 
faihng him. 

As Mr. S. walked slowly to his residence, rumi- 



THE YOUNG LAWYER. 217 

nating upon tlie past, and contemplating tlie future, 
he breathed an earnest prayer to God that he would 
open the eyes of Mr. H., that he might, ere he left 
the world, renounce his infidelity. 

After remaining at home for a short time, Mr. S. 
returned to the house of Mr. H. When he entered 
there were no persons present but a neighboring 
lady and Mrs. H., whose countenance plainly told 
the deep sorrow of her heart and her fearful appre- 
hension that a dark cloud was gathering over her 
that would soon break in overwhelming trouble. 
The night before her husband was taken ill she 
had been greatly disturbed in her slumber. She 
saw, in her sleep, "a lady clad in a long, flowing 
robe of black approaching the gate" — which was a 
little way in front of their house — ^'seated upon a 
white horse, richly caparisoned, leading by her side 
a black horse with his equipage all hung in mourn- 
ing. "When she reached the front fence she alighted, 
fastened the steeds, and passing over the stile, came 
into the house. Addressing Mr. H. she informed 
him she had a summons for him — that he must go 
with her immediately. She told him to bid his 
wife and infant son farewell, "^for he would see them 
no more. Mr. H. begged for time to make prepara- 
tions, stating that 'he was not prepared to meet 
such a summons.' The lady informed him that the 
summons would admit of no delay — that he had 
long since been warned that it would come, and that 

as he knew not the time, he should have made the 

19 



218 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

necessary preparation, and should have held him- 
self in readiness. Mr. H., with great earnestness, 
besought her to grant him but a short time to pre- 
pare. Her answer was * No' He then refused to 
go. She with stern voice bade him follow her. He 
said 'he would not.' She took him by the arm and 
led him out of the house, he constantly saying, 'I 
can not go; I will not go.' When they reached 
the stile he attempted to get upon the white horse. 
The lady forbade him, commanding him to get upon 
the black horse. He obeyed. The lady seated her- 
self upon the white horse, and, leading the way, Mr. 
H. following, uttering the most mournful lamenta- 
tions, they soon disappeared in the distance." 

This vision affected Mrs. H. so much that she 
awoke from her sleep. So clear was the whole scene 
to her view, and so deep the impression made upon 
her mind, she slept no more that night. Dreadfully 
apprehensive that some sore trial awaited her, and 
fearing that it would disturb Mr. H., she did not 
inform him of the vision she had seen. And now 
that he was so ill, fast sinking into death's cold em- 
brace, her vision stood before her as an awful reality. 
She had no hope of her husband's recovery. 

Mr. S. having entered the room, Mr. H. beckoned 
him to his bedside and attempted to speak, but his 
heart was too full, his voice faltered, his tongue failed 
to articulate. Struggling to get the mastery of his 
feelings he made a second effort. Addressing Mr. 
S. he said, ''Sir, death has come to summon me 



THE YOUNG LAWYER. 219 

from time to eternity; how can I go?" Raising 
both his hands, with a steady upward gaze, he ex- 
claimed, ''0, if" — his voice again failing — ''if, if it 
did not seem so inconsistent — and I had almost 
rather die than be inconsistent — I would want you 
to pray for me." Mr. S. said, "If that is your 
desire it shall be granted. I trust there is mercy 
for you." ''Do you think so?" he anxiously in- 
quired. Mr. S. answered, "Yes, I trust there is." 
" Then do, do pray for me !" There being some 
moments of delay in order that the two ladies 
present might join in prayer, he said, " Do not 
wait one moment ; pray now. There is no time 
for delay. I must soon be gone. I shall soon be 
in eternity. The messenger is already here. Get 
right down upon your knees and pray for me." 
The two ladies and Mr. S. bowed at the bedside 
while he endeavored to pray. His feelings were so 
wrought upon by what was transpiring that it was 
difficult for him to utter a word. Here was a 
dying man, one who had boasted of his infidelity 
and ridiculed religion, denouncing the "Bible as a 
forgery, a bundle of lies," now that he was on the 
very threshold of eternity desiring to be prayed 
for; by one, too, he had so often tried to confound 
on the subject of man's accountability to God, the 
reality of a future state of being, and the necessity 
of a preparation for death. While prayer was 
being offered the feelings of Mr. H. became so ex- 
cited, and the agony of his mind so great that he 



220 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

cried aloud for mercy till much exhausted. The 
screams of the two ladies, mingled with his cries 
and the voice of prayer, brought several persons to 
the door, for it was considered exceedingly strange 
that prayer should be heard in the house of this 
infidel lawyer. After the close of the prayer, when 
all had become a little composed, Mr. H. said to 
Mr. S. : "Now, if you will raise me up and sit 
behind me I will try to talk a little before I die." 
His request was complied with. He commenced by 
saying, " You know I have been an avowed infidel. 
You know I have poured contempt upon Christian- 
ity — declared the Bible to be the production of 
priestcraft; but 0, how sadly I have been mistaken! 
How astonishing it is that I never saw myself be- 
fore ! Often have I listened while death-bells were 
tolling; often have I looked upon the funeral pro- 
cession, moving with slow and measured steps to 
the tomb. Yes, I have again and again stood upon 
the verge of the grave, beheld the coflin lowered to 
its cold, damp vault, and heard the deep-drawn sigh 
and mournful cry of those whose hearts had been 
smitten by grief; and yet for myself, thoughtless 
man that I have been, for myself I never took one 
serious thought. And now, here I am, racked by 
pain, borne rapidly down by disease, sinking fast 
into a gaping grave. My principles have failed me. 
I find my infidelity will not sustain me, now that I 
am dying. 0, what shall I do? How can I die? 
Must I go? Is there no delay? Can I have no 



THE YOUNG LAWYER. 221 

time to prepare ?" After a short pause lie con- 
tinued : " How inconsistent this seems in me, when 
I have so long denounced every thing like religion ; 
but I can not help it. 8oon I shall be beyond the 
boundaries of time, and must now be honest." 

Addressing himself particularly to Mr. S. he said, 
"I thought some of uniting myself with your 
Church at your last camp meeting, but feared some 
would say I did it to gain professional business, 
and I deferred it. Now I must soon die; I must 
go without being prepared. Tell all your people, 
all the members of the Church, I want them to 
pray for me." 

By this time a number of persons had gathered 
into the room, having heard the screams of Mrs. H., 
for she was now almost frantic with grief. Many 
of the expressions her husband had just uttered 
VfQTG precisely the same she had heard him make in 
the vision she saw two nights before. Among those 
who had just come into the room was a lady, who, 
hearing Mr. H.'s remarks, said to him, "You 
must be still; you must not talk so; you are injur- 
ing yourself; you are not going to die; you must 
lie down and keep composed." To this he replied: 
"Then lay me down and let me die." 

At the request of Mr. H., Mr. S. remained with 
him, he and Mr. M. nursing him "till life's last 
hour had fled." He continued to grow worse the 
remainder of that day, the following night, and the 
next day. Though several physicians had been in 



222 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

attendance, the disease baffled their skill. Mr. H. 
steadily sank. 

As he tossed himself upon his bed, from hour to 
hour, he would exclaim, ''0, God! I can not die! I 
will not die! I must not go!" then he would call 
upon his two attendants for help, begging them to 
not let him die. Truly, "the frantic soul raved 
round the walls of its clay tenement — ran to each 
avenue and shrieked for help, but shrieked in vain." 
He was not permitted to enjoy one moment com- 
posed, but, 

" Like a reptile on a bed of embers, 
Turning, he languished ;" 

pleading to be placed first in one position and then 
in another. 

About midnight, the third night of his illness, he 
requested Mr. S. to go out and get upon his front 
stile and cry at the top of his voice, "0, yes! 0, 
yes! 0, yes! J. H. is dying," and repeat it three 
times. When told that the people were asleep, and 
that it would disturb them, he replied, " That is the 
reason why I want you to do it. They are asleep — 
/ am dying, and they do n't know it. Do, do, Mr. 
S., grant a poor dying man this last request." 

He would not be satisfied till Mr. S. retired, as 
if to comply with his request. About the dawn of 
day, he threw his arms around the neck of Mr. S. 
as he leaned over the bed, and expired. Among his 
last words were, "Must I die? Is there no help?" 

When it was discovered that the taper of life had 



THE YOUNG LAWYER. 223 

burned out, his young wife, who was standing by 
his bed, fell backward, screaming, " He *s gone ! he 's 
gone ! He was my god ! and the only god I wor- 
shiped !" No wonder her heart was now riven, and 
she was overwhelmed with anguish, when her god, 
the ^^ only god she worshiped," had expired. 

In the afternoon of the next day, the lifeless re- 
mains of Mr. H. were followed by a large concourse 
of people to the grave, which had been prepared on 
the bank of the beautiful river that glided past the 
town of N., where they were laid to rest, till ''all 
that are in the graves shall hear the, voice of the 
Son of God and shall come forth ; they that have 
done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that 
have done evil, to the resilrrection of damnation." 
Thus passed away a young man of brilliant talents, 
of great energy of character, devotedly attached to 
his profession, cut down when his hopes were high 
of attaining an eminence as a lawyer. Unfortunately 
he had received the wrong training in his childhood 
and youth, and when he grew up to manhood he 
read infidel books — embraced their sentiments, and 
discarded Christianity. Though he renounced infi- 
delity in a dying hour, he died in despair. 



224 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

JAMES EPPERSON. 

In the Fall of 1840 the writer was appointed to 
Franklin circuit as preacher in charge. He was an 
entire stranger to the people to whom he was sent. 
The circuit was large, embracing all of Johnson, a 
large portion of Morgan, and parts of Marion, Bar- 
tholomew, and Brown counties. 

Soon after the adjournment of Conference, the 
writer set out to explore his new circuit, and to 
procure a house in which he could place his family. 
The first night after entering the bounds of his cir- 
cuit he spent at the house of a local elder, of some 
years' standing, who gave him a general account of 
the circuit, and plied him pretty closely with ques- 
tions in theology and Church law, but could give 
him no information as to where he could obtain a 
house for his family, and did not seem to take 
much interest in that subject; he, however, warned 
the "new preacher" faithfully against "one James 
Epperson,'' who lived down toward the southern 
boundary of the circuit, telling me to have nothing 
to do with him, saying, " If he hears that you are 
in search of a house for your family, he will very 
likely offer you some accommodations, making great 



JAMES EPPERSON. 225 

promises as to what lie will do; but you need not 
rely upon any promise he makes, for he will not 
fulfill one of them." 

The next morning the writer started on his way 
with a heavy heart. The account he had received 
of his circuit was by no means flattering, and the 
warning he had received in regard to "one James 
Epperson" weighed heavily on his mind. He took 
his course through the center of his circuit, travel- 
ing toward the southern portion. As he passed 
along he inquired of all the Methodists he found 
for a house wherein he could place his family, but 
no tidings of one could be obtained. 

In the evening of the third day he arrived at 
Morgantown. Here he met his colleague. Rev. 
Jacob Myers. No house could be obtained in Mor- 
gantown. The next morning he and his colleague 
concluded to start regularly around the circuit, 
preaching where they could gather a congregation, 
leaving appointments for Mr. Myers, and perhaps 
they would hear of a house that could be obtained. 
On the third day thus spent, having collected a 
small congregation for preaching, during the de- 
livery of the sermon, an elderly man, low of stature, 
rather corpulent, dressed in homespun jeans of 
walnut-brown color, with a bald head on a short 
neck, made his appearance and took a seat. As 
soon as the services were closed, the congregation 
being dismissed, the elderly man dressed in home- 
spun, with a bald head, approached the writer, and 



226 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

inquired if he was the preacher in charge of the 
circuit. Being answered in the affirmative, he said, 
'' I wish to speak to you a moment." They passed 
out of the house to a private place. The old man 
said, " I understand you are in search of a house 
for your family to live in this year. I have a 
house on my little farm, about ten miles distant 
from this, which you can have if you will accept 
it. The house in which I live is one of your preach- 
ing-places. If you will bring your family and 
occupy the vacant house on my place, you shall 
have it rent free, and your firewood shall cost you 
nothing." 

He made sundry other promises as to what he 
would do if his offer was accepted. His name was 
asked for. He answered, ''James Epperson." It 
flashed upon the writer's mind like lightning, " This 
is the very man of whom I was so faithfully 
warned by that local elder where I staid the first 
night I spent in the bounds of the circuit. He 
told me this man would make great promises as to 
what he would do, but he would not fulfill one of 
them." After a moment's pause, I told the old 
gentleman I w^ould consider the matter, and let 
him know after dinner. I sought an interview 
with my colleague, Mr. Myers, and laid the whole 
case before him, telling him what the local elder 
had said in regard to Mr. Epperson. Mr. Myers 
advised me to go with the old man and see what 
the prospect was. After dinner we mounted our 



JAMES EPPERSON. 227 

horses and set out for Mr. Epperson's residence. 
When we arrived darkness had closed in. On en- 
tering the cabin the writer found a family of seven 
or eight sons and daughters, from those pretty well 
grown up down to those of three or four years 
of age. The old lady was clad in homespun linsey- 
woolsey. The furniture was of the most primitive 
style, the whole family occupying the one room for 
cooking, eating, and sleeping. 

Being weary in body and gloomy in mind I did 
not go to see what accommodations were afforded 
my faithful horse. Mrs. Epperson prepared a 
bountiful supper, which consisted of pork, bread, 
butter, milk, coffee, etc. The evening till ''bed- 
time" was spent in hearing from Mr. Epperson an 
account of the circuit and the state of the Church, 
which was quite encouraging. In family prayer 
that night the writer felt that there was some gen- 
uine religion in that family, whatever else might 
be lacking. Mr. Epperson's cabin stood on the 
brow of a hill, the ground still gradually ascending 
for some distance above it. 

After breakfast in the morning, the old gentleman 
proposed to go and ''show the preacher " the house 
he had spoken of. Starting, they passed to the 
summit of the hill. There stood a comfortable 
stable, in which was the preacher's horse having 
plenty of hay and corn. As they drew near 
*' Charlie" neighed to his master, as much as to say, 
*'/have fared finely through the night; this is a 



228 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

good place for me." Seeing that Charlie was all 
right they passed into a field of ripe corn, the 
girdled forest trees standing thickly. About mid- 
way of the cornfield, they came to a low cabin, 
fifteen feet square, with one door, one window with- 
out glass or sash, a stick and clay chimney, which 
had partly fallen down, the cabin filled with corn 
fodder. Mr. Epperson said, ''This is the house; 
rather a bad-looking chance, aint it?" I answered, 
"It is not very inviting in its appearance." ''If 
you will come here and live I will repair the house 
and make it comfortable," responded Mr. Epperson; 
" but if you will come with me I will show you 
where I want it." They returned to the summit of 
the hill near where the stable containing the 
preacher's horse stood. The old man said, "This is 
where / want the house placed ; if you will come 
here and live I will move it to this spot, and make 
it warm and comfortable, and [pointing to the sta- 
ble] that shall be your stable; I built it to put 
preachers' horses in; no others have been in it, and 
never shall while I control it. You can bring your 
cow with you ; your corn and hay through the year 
shall cost you nothing." The writer turned aside 
that he might spend a few moments in reflection. 
He soliloquized thus : " What shall I do ? I have 
spent six days traveling through the circuit in 
search of a house for my family, and this is the 
only one offered me. This, too, is the man that 
local elder warned me to have nothing to do with, 



JAMES EPPEESON. 229 

that he would not fulfill a promise that he made. 
What shall I do?" Something seemed to whisper 
in his ear, "This is the place; come here." I re- 
turned to the old man and told him I did not know 
what else to do than to accept his offer; there 
seemed to be no other opening for me to bring my 
family to the circuit, and Winter was rapidly setting 
in ; that if I brought my family there, I would pre- 
fer to have the cabin where we stood, but it would 
require so much labor to remove it and place it there. 
Mr. Epperson said, "That is none of your business; 
if you say you will come here /will attend to all that." 
The writer said, " I will do it." Mr. Epperson in- 
quired what day he could be ready to start with his 
family and goods. Pausing a moment, I said I 
thought I could be ready by a certain day. " Then," 
said the old man, " get upon your horse and go to 
your family as soon as you can ; engage a team to 
bring part of your goods ; get all things in readiness ; 
I will be there with my wagon and team the night 
before." The writer bade the old man and his 
family good-by, mounted his horse and started for 
his family." At the time appointed Mr. Epperson 
was promptly on hand with his wagon and team. 
The next morning the goods and family were care- 
fully stowed away in the two wagons. Bidding fare- 
well to friends the preacher and his family started 
for their cabin home, at "one James Epperson's." 

Late in the evening of the second day, in the 
midst cf a snow-storm, they arrived at the place of 



230 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

their destination. Sure enough, there the cabin 
stood in its place, all right, and a large quantity of 
good seasoned firewood ranked up near by. It being 
too late to unload the wagons, the preacher and his 
family were most kindly entertained for the night 
at the cabin of Mr. Epperson. The next morning 
he assisted in placing all things " to rights " in the 
preacher's house. That being done he went to 
work and erected a shed over the door of the cabin, 
and placed a number of shelves near the door on 
the outside. When all was completed, he called the 
preacher's wife and said to her : " These shelves are 
for your cooking utensils, but this one is for your 
water-bucket. I want you to keep it sitting on 
that shelf day and night." It was soon discovered 
why he directed that the water-bucket should be 
kept upon that shelf day and night. The spring, 
where water was to be obtained, was some distance 
from the cabin, and to reach it you had to descend 
the hill upon which Mr. E.'s cabin stood and cross 
a branch, which made it laborious obtaining the 
necessary supply of water. Every morning when 
the preacher was absent upon his large circuit, and 
before the family were up, Mr. Epperson would 
have a bucket of water, fresh from the spring, sit- 
ting in its place upon the shelf. 

After he had prepared the little accommodation 
of the shed and shelves, he erected a ''lumber- 
room " at the end of the cabin, leaving an open 
passage between it and the cabin. When he had 



JAMES EPPERSON. 231 

finished this room, he went to the preacher's wife 
and told her he wished her to keep the meat- tub, 
Hour-barrel, and meal-chest in that "lumber-room." 
Through that open passage he always passed in 
going from his house into his fields to labor. Every 
few mornings, as he would be passing through to 
his work, he would turn into the lumber-room and 
look into the meat-tub, flour-barrel, and meal-chest. 
If he saw the contents of either getting low, you 
would soon see him with a sack, mounted on ''Old 
Roan," starting for some distant neighborhood, not 
having said a word to the preacher's family as to 
what he was going to do. After some hours he 
would return with his sack well filled with meat, 
flour, or meal, as the necessity might require, often 
bringing other necessaries, such as maple sugar, 
molasses, dried fruit, etc. He delighted to accom- 
pany the preacher to his appointments on the cir- 
cuit. On these occasions, wherever he went among 
the people, as there was but little money to be ob- 
tained for the preacher, he would ask them if they 
could not furnish him a ham of bacon, a sack of 
flour or meal. They often answered, "■ yes ; we 
would like to give brother S. a ham or two, or a 
sack of flour or meal " — whichever they could 
spare most conveniently — ''but he lives so far away 
we do n't know how to get it to him." Mr. Epper- 
son's invariable reply was, " Never mind that ; say 
he shall have it, and I will see that it is conveyed 
to him." Receiving a promise that whatever they 



232 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

proposed to furnish should be ready against a cer- 
tain time, he would charge them to keep it till he 
called for it. Thus he knew where to go to obtain 
any of those articles for the preacher's family. In 
this way he kept them bountifully supplied through- 
out the year with the substantials of life. All the 
corn, hay, and firewood necessary for the preacher 
he furnished himself. The writer's family had not 
long been situated at this place till he, when away 
upon his large circuit, absent from them two and 
three weeks at a time, felt that under Mr. Epper- 
son's care they would not be allowed to suffer. 

Near the close of the Conference year, Mr. Ep- 
person entered the preacher's cabin one evening, 
and said with some emotion, '' I do not expect the 
Bishop will send you back to us another year, and, 
indeed, I could not ask him to do so. The circuit 
is a hard one to travel, and you have received but 
little pay." Addressing the writer's wife, he said, 
^'^ You will want to go and see your father and 
mother while your husband has gone to Conference. 
Pack up all your things, and when he leaves for 
Conference I will take you and the children to your 
father's." And to the writer he said, ''As soon as 
Conference adjourns write me, and let me know 
where you are sent — at what time and place to meet 
you with your goods, and I will bring them and 
your cow to you." The week before Conference 
was to commence the goods were carefully packed, 
and when I started to Conference Mr. Epperson 



JAMES EPPERSON. 233 

started witli my family to their friends, fifty miles 
distant. 

At the close of Conference, a letter was addressed 
to Mr. Epperson, as he had requested, and accord- 
ingly on the evening of the day appointed, at the 
place specified, he was promptly on hand with the 
goods, the cow, and a fat hog, neatly dressed ready 
for use. The next morning, when he was about 
leaving, he was requested to receive some compen- 
sation for the much he had done for the preacher's 
family, but he refused, saying, " I have been an un- 
profitable servant. I have done nothing more than 
it was my duty to do." When he bade the preach- 
er's wife farewell, he said to her, " Sister S., when 
you find another as good a friend to you as I have 
been, write to me." She never wrote. Though 
moving from place to place in the itinerancy, she 
has found many kind friends, she has often been 
heard to say, '' I have never found such a friend as 
brother Epperson." 

James Epperson was born and brought up in 

Kentucky. Up to manhood he had never attended 

a Methodist meeting, but had been taught rather 

to hate them. When he was a young man, he and 

several of his wicked associates concluded to attend 

a Methodist camp meeting which was to be held 

some miles distant, for frolic and fun. When the 

time arrived, they set out. On the way they made 

their arrangements and laid their plans for sport. 

They arrived at the encampment on Saturday, in 

20 



234 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the afternoon. As they drew near they heard the 
sound of singing, praying, groaning, crying, and 
rejoicing mingled in, to them, strange contrast. 
When they entered the inclosure of tents, a strange 
feeling came over young Epperson, and he began to 
tremble. Such a scene he had never beheld, and 
such sounds had never before fallen upon his ear. 
He approached near the altar, where a prayer meet- 
ing was going on, and took a seat. Ever and anon 
the shout of a new-born soul rose high above the 
songs, and groans, and prayers that were ascending 
from the altar. Young Epperson soon found his 
heart all broken up, and tears fast falling from his 
eyes — all thoughts of sport having left him. One 
of the preachers seeing him weeping and trembling 
approached and requested him to go into the altar, 
and let the pious pray for him. He consented, and, 
led by the preacher, he went in, and falling upon 
his knees commenced pleading for mercy. Before 
the sun arose the next morning the Sun of Eighteous- 
ness had arisen upon him, dispelling all his moral 
darkness, pouring a flood of light, and joy, and 
peace into his soul. The holy Sabbath was a day 
of sacred peace such as he had never enjoyed before. 
He seemed to be in a new world. He ivas '^ a new 
man in Christ Jesus." He united with the Church 
and continued a faithful, devoted member to the 
day of his death. 

After he had married a wife he came to Indiana 
and settled in Morgan county, where he spent the 



JAMES EPPERSON. 235 

remainder of his days, serving his day and genera- 
tion to the glory of God and the weal of the 
Church. 

He was quite gifted in prayer, a tender class- 
leader, a kind neighbor, a generous, warm-hearted 
friend, devotedly attached to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, ever ready to devote his time and 
means to her support. Several years since he 
quietly passed away to his home in heaven. The 
reader may, perhaps, desire to know why that local 
elder gave the writer such an account of ^^ one 
James Epperson^ The reason is briefly this: that 
local elder and another local preacher in the circuit 
were '' at outs," and Mr. Epperson was a friend of 
the other local preacher. 



236 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

HON. JAMES EAKIDEN. 

Mr. Eariden came to Indiana at an early day, 
and while he himself was yet a young man. He was 
about five feet seven or eight inches in hight, with 
a broad chest; high, well-developed forehead, black 
hair, thickly set upon his head ; with keen black 
eyes. His left arm was withered and hung uselessly 
at his side. He usually carried it in a ''sling." 
Though he had the use of but one arm, he per- 
formed manual labor till he arrived at manhood. 
It was said that he had split as many as two and 
three hundred rails in one day. He was a poor 
young man, having nothing to rely upon for sup- 
port except his own energy and his own indomita- 
ble will. He had not enjoyed the advantages of a 
collegiate nor even an academical education, but by 
his own effort he succeeded in acquiring a very fair 
English education. When he came to Indiana he 
stopped in Wayne county, which was then new. 
Salisbury was the county seat. Here he made his 
first location. He soon obtained the place of deputy 
under David Hoover, who was then clerk of the 
county. This was his entrance into public life. 
Writinsr in the clerk's office, toocether with his at- 



HON. JAMES RAEIDEN. 237 

tendance upon the courts, gave him a thirst for 
legal knowledge and a desire to be a lawyer. He 
wrote in the clerk's office for some two or three 
years. In this way he obtained quite an extensive 
knowledge of law and the manner of doing business 
in court, while at the same time his office as deputy 
clerk rendered him a competent support. During 
the time he was deputy clerk he devoted all his 
leisure hours to reading law, so that when he ceased 
to act in that capacity he was licensed to practice 
and admitted to the bar. 

Mr. Rariden had a vigorous, active mind; could 
analyze a case presented to him, and knew well how 
to present the strong points in the cause of his 
client and the weak ones in the cause of the oppo- 
site party. He was surpassed by few, if any, in his 
skill in the examination of witnesses. In his cross- 
examinations, many a poor wight who undertook to 
swear too much, or to be too positive, found him- 
self confused, confounded, overwhelmed, and in the 
midst of self-contradictions — his testimony destroyed. 
He had a pleasant voice and knew well how to use 
it. He spoke with great fluency and ease to him- 
self, and was sometimes truly eloquent. Often when 
addressing a jury in a criminal case he would bring 
tears, like raindrops, from the eyes of the jurors. 
When he entered upon the practice of law he 
rose rapidly in his profession, and continued rising 
till he stood among the ablest in Indiana. He sel- 
dom lost a case. Such was his distinction as a 



238 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

lawyer that he was sought for with great eagerness 
by litigants. In a few years he accumulated by his 
profession a very handsome property. 

When the county seat of Wayne was moved from 
Salisbury to Centerville, he removed his office to 
the latter place, and when he had well established 
himself in business, and accumulated a sufficient 
! amount of property to justify him in taking to him- 
self a wife, he married an amiable and intelligent 
young lady, the daughter of Judge John Test, of 
Lawrenceburg. 

Mr. Eariden took an active part in the politics 
of the country. He was a very decided Whig of 
the Henry Clay school, and a great admirer of that 
distinguished statesman. He represented Wayne 
county several years in both houses of the State 
Legislature, and was twice elected to the lower 
house of the Congress of the United States. He 
was also a member of the State Convention which 
formed the present Constitution of Indiana. In 
each of these bodies he occupied a high position, 
and was considered an able debater. Unfortunately 
for Mr. Eariden and the country, he was not relig- 
ious. Had he been, with his talents and influence, 
and the high position in the community which he 
occupied, he might have accomplished much good. 
He did not indulge in wickedness as many men of 
his profession did. His most common sin was pro- 
fanity. To that he was much addicted. In a con- 
versation with a friend, on one occasion, he very 



HON. JAMES RARIDEN. 239 

frankly confessed his great error in this particular, 
and related the following incident : One Sabbath 
day, in the Winter season, his wife and little son, 
who was some six years of age, went to Church, 
while he remained at home. After they had re- 
turned from Church, the family being seated around 
the fire, Mr. Eariden engaged in reading, his little 
son began to cry most bitterly. His mother asked 
him the cause. For some time there was hesita- 
tion. Being urged to tell what it w^as that so 
much grieved him, he said, "My pa will go to 
hell." His mother asked him what made him think 
so. He answered: "The preacher said to-day that 
all swearers will go to hell, and my pa swears." 
Mr. Rariden said it was the severest reproof he had 
ever received. It affected him much. He resolved 
then and there to make an effort to quit using pro- 
fane language. 

He was gentlemanly in all his intercourse with 
society, and always treated religious people and re- 
ligious worship with great respect, and was quite a 
regular attendant upon the ministry of the Word. 
He was frequently heard to say, " I would not have 
my wife backslide or leave the Church for any con- 
sideration." His house was always open to minis- 
ters of the Gospel, and from himself and family 
they received a cordial welcome and a hospitable en- 
tertainment. He was liberal to the Church and all 
benevolent enterprises. He abhorred parsimonious- 
ness. When the Rev. John Everhart traveled the 



240 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

old Whitewater circuit, he had the misfortune to 
lose his horse. Being a poor man, as Methodist 
preachers generally were in those days, and not able 
to purchase another, he was greatly embarrassed. 
Toward the close of the Conference year, a camp 
meeting was held at Doddridge's camp-ground, a 
few miles from Centerville. The circuit had fallen 
far behind in meeting the claims of the preachers. 
Mr. Everhart was without a horse, and there was 
not money enough brought in to pay for one, 
though horses were cheap. What was to be done? 
The official members concluded to get up a subscrip- 
tion-paper, and make an effort to raise a sufficient 
amount of money to procure a horse for Mr. Ever- 
hart. Accordingly, a subscription-paper was drawn 
in due form, and several names were put down, with 
the amount varying from twenty-five to fifty cents. 
They then started round the camp-ground to see 
what they could do. They soon came to Mr. Kari- 
den, who was then a young lawyer rapidly rising 
in his profession. To him they presented the paper 
and politely requested him to subscribe. He took 
the paper and read it, with the names and amount 
attached. After a moment's pause, he said, ''No, 
not one cent will I subscribe on this paper. Do 
you expect to raise money enough to pay for a 
horse for Mr. Everhart with such eubscriptions as 
these?" Turning to a gentleman who stood near, 
he said, "Mr. A., what will you take for that fine 
horse you bought the other day?" ''What do you 



HON. JAMES RARIDEN. 241 

want with liim ?" asked the gentleman. '' It is none 
of your business/' said Mr. Rariden. '' What will 
you take for him? is the question." ''I bought him 
for my own use," said Mr. A. *' I gave seventy- 
five dollars for him. If you want him for Mr. Ev- 
erhart you shall have him for sixty-five." " Hand 
him over to Mr. Everhart," said Mr. Rariden, "and 
I will pay you the money when I return to Center- 
ville;" then tearing up the subscription-paper he 

threw it upon the ground, saying, " Go to with 

your subscription-paper." The horse was handed 
over to the preacher, and Mr. Rariden paid for 
him. This act of liberality raised him in the esti- 
mation of the public, and, doubtless, brought him 
professional business; but it is not to be supposed 
that he did it for that purpose. He had a liberal 
soul, and seeing the small amounts subscribed by 
others, and believing the object a good one, he 
made the preacher a present of the horse. In this 
he gave an exhibition of one trait in his character. 
So far as is known to the writer, he never con- 
nected himself with any branch of the Christian 
Church. His preferences were for the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. His residence was in Wayne 
county from the time he came to Indiana to the 
close of his life. He was a favorite with her citi- 
zens. He lived to a somewhat advanced age, and 

died a few years since, much respected. 

21 



242 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

AN ECCENTRIC CIRCUIT STEWARD. 

A. M. 0. G. resided in the town of B. He was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
one of the stewards of the circuit. A. K., who was 
also a circuit steward, lived in the same town. The 
circuit in which the town of B. was situated had 
been districted so that each steward had his portion 
to attend to, financially. The town of B. was in 
the district assigned to Mr. K. as steward. The 
people were not very liberal in paying their *' quar- 
terage," and Mr. K. could not bring them to the 
proper standard. Mr. G. having acquired quite a 
reputation for making ''quarterage speeches," Mr. 
K. requested him, at different times, to make a 
quarterage speech to his people, but Mr. G. persist- 
ently declined. The appointment for circuit preach- 
ing in B. was on a week-day. 

On one occasion when the preacher in charge of 
the circuit had arrived in B. — it was on the morning 
of the day he was to preach in the place — the class- 
leader came to him with a list of the names of some 
fifteen or twenty members who were delinquent in 
attendance on class meeting, and desired him to at- 
tend to them '' under the rule," that day after 



AN ECCENTRIC CIRCUIT STEWARD. 243 

preacliing. Heading the delinquent list stood the 
name of Mr. Gr., the steward. The class-leader in- 
formed the preacher that the other delinquents hid 
behind Mr. G. ; that they refused to attend class 
meeting till the steward did, and that he could not 
get him to go to class meeting. When the class- 
leader had made an end of the presentation of 
delinquents, the preacher stepped across the street 
to the shop of Mr. G. and informed him of the com- 
plaint entered by the leader, and showed him the 
list. He told him what the leader had said in re- 
gard to the other delinquent members hiding be- 
hind him, refusing to attend class meeting till he 
did. The preacher labored to impress the steward 
with a sense of the evil influence of his example, 
telling him that it would be a painful thing to have 
to exclude him from the Church " for willful neglect 
of class meeting," but that such would he the result 
if he did not reform. He also told him that he 
would that day, after preaching, retain the members 
of the Church, and call over the names of those who 
were delinquent and see if they would promise ref- 
ormation. While the preacher was lecturing Mr. 
G., he stood and listened attentively, but did not ut- 
ter a word. As soon as the preacher was through, 
he threw off his apron and went across the street to 
Mr. K.'s store, and said to him, "Brother K., I'll 
make that quarterage speech for you to-day, if you 
wish me to." Said Mr. K., ''I wish you would, 
brother G. ; indeed, I will be very much obliged to 



244 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

you if you will." And so the two brethren made 
their arrangements accordingly. 

When the hour for preaching arrived, and the 
people began to collect at the small log church, Mr. 
G. came in with his Bible under his arm, and took 
a seat. At the close of the sermon the preacher 
requested the members of the Church to remain for 
a short space after the benediction was pronounced. 
While those who were not members of the Church 
were retiring, Mr. G. went to the preacher and said, 
''Brother S., I am going to make a quarterage 
speech for brother K. to-day ; I want you to let me 
make ray speech before you attend to your business." 
He insisted so earnestly that he might be allowed 
to do so, that the preacher consented. When all 
had become quiet, Mr. G. arose, and, addressing 
those present, informed them what he proposed doing. 
He opened his Bible, read several texts of Scripture, 
and proceeded to explain them, as teaching the duty 
of the people to support the Gospel. When he had 
explained and enforced all his texts, he added, ''Our 
class-leader has presented to the preacher a list of 
the names of fifteen or twenty persons who do not 
attend class meeting, and he is going to attend to 
their cases to-day. My name stands at the head of 
that list. Brother S. came to see me this morn- 
ing. He told me that the leader represented that 
those delinquent persons were hiding behind me ; 
that is, refusing to attend class meeting because I 
do not, saying, ' Make your steward go to class, then 



AN ECCENTBIC CIRCUIT STEWARD. 245 

we will go.' Brother S. said if I did not attend 
class meeting the Church would be under the neces- 
sity of ' laying me aside.' He gave me a pretty 
good scourging, but did not give me a lick amiss. 
I did not say any thing to him. I reserved it all for 
you. You all know I once was class collector for 
this class; that I did come regularly to class meet- 
ing; that I never professed to be very religious. 
When at class you got happy and shouted, till I 
expected to see the shingles fly off the old meeting- 
house. You know I never shouted any. When 
class meeting closed and I asked you for your quar- 
terage you were almost angry enough to destroy me. 
Thus it continued till I came to the conclusion that 
I was doing you a harm, and I knew that you were 
doing me a harm ; that you had one kind of religion 
and I had another. Your religion made you shout, 
but did not make you pay your preacher, while my 
religion made me pay my _ preacher, but did not 
make me shout, and so I concluded to quit attend- 
ing class, thinking my religion was better than 
yours. Now, the preacher says I will have to be 
expelled from the Church if I do not attend class, 
and I tell you I am not going to be expelled from 
the Church. Henceforth I am coming to class, and 
by the grace of God every time you shout I'll dun 
you for quarterage." From the time Mr. G. made 
that speech the class at B. sent up to the quarterly 
conference an enlarged financial report. 



246 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

EEV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 

LuciEN William Berry was born in Alburgh, 
or Alburg, Vermont, in 1815. His parents were 
members of the Baptist Church. His father was a 
physician of some eminence ; he bestowed much at- 
tention on the cultivation of the mind of his son. 
At a very early age Lucien exhibited aptness to 
learn, and a fondness for books. He had a retentive 
memory, and retained well what he read. 

While he was a boy his father moved to Ohio. 
Here, in the fourteenth year of his age, he was con- 
verted and united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. After his conversion, his thirst for knowl- 
edo;e increased. He divided his time between the 
study of the sciences and the reading of religious 
books. Such were his piety and talents that in 
the seventeenth year of his age he was licensed to 
preach. Eev. W. B. Christie, who was presiding 
elder of the district where young Berry lived at the 
time he was licensed to preach, saw his brilliant 
talents and promising usefulness, and took him 
under his special care, pointing out a course of 
theological study for him. The kindness of Mr. 
Christie to young Berry was such as to cause him 



REV. L. W. BEERY, D. D. 247 

ever afterward to look upon him as his best earthly 
friend. There was no living man he so much 
admired. 

In the Fall of 1833, Mr. Christie, who was then 
presiding elder of Wooster district, in Ohio, em- 
ployed young Berry, who was then but eighteen 
years of age, to travel Eoscoe circuit with Kev. 
J. M 'Dowel, who was preacher in charge. Mr. 
M'Dowel took the young preacher into his kind em- 
brace, and instructed him in all the duties of an 
itinerant Methodist preacher. Their hearts became 
closely united in the strongest bonds of Christian 
and ministerial affection, which time did not weaken 
nor changing circumstances sever. Here young 
Berry commenced his itinerancy, and labored 
through the year with great acceptability to the 
people. His youth, zeal, and talents attracted much 
attention, and often brought crowds to hear him 
preach. Though the circuit was large, requiring 
much traveling on horseback, he pursued his studies 
closely. He read Watson's Institutes so attentively 
that by the close of the year he could repeat a 
large portion of both volumes memoriter. 

About the close of this year, an incident occurred 
which made an impression upon his mind that never 
left him. He attended a camp meeting which was 
held in another part of the district from that where 
he had been laboring. His youthful ears had not 
been altogether deaf to the praises bestowed upon 
him as a preacher. He felt some anxiety to main- 



24:8 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

tain the reputation he had acquired at the camp 
meeting to which he was going. Accordingly, he 
prepared a sermon, which led him to draw largely 
from Watson's Institutes. He studied his sermon 
till he thought he had it ''at his tongue's end." 
Thus armed and equipped he went to the camp 
meeting, feeling very confident of success when his 
time should come to stand before the congregation. 
On Saturday, in the afternoon, the presiding elder 
appointed him to preach. The congregation which 
assembled at the stand to hear the young preacher 
was large. He gave out his hymn intrepidly — the 
congregation joined in singing. At the close of the 
hymn he kneeled in prayer. Eising from his knees 
he announced his text. He had uttered but a few 
sentences when he began to falter and "catch at 
his words." Darkness overspread his mind. He 
forgot, for the time being, all he had thought upon 
the subject. After a few minutes' vainly struggling 
to recover his thoughts, he was compelled to give it 
up and take his seat overwhelmed with confusion. 
His kind presiding elder arose, and, as he was capa- 
ble of doing, took up the subject and delivered a 
powerful discourse. Young Berry was so mortified 
he could not remain in the stand. He retired to 
the preachers' tent, took his hat, made his way to 
a secluded place in the woods, where he remained 
alone till after nightfall. 

The next morning the presiding elder appointed 
him to preach the first sermon for the day. He 



REV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 249 

begged to be excused, saying he " could not preach." 
The presiding elder said, " If you can 't, the Lord 
can through you, and you must try. You were 
anxious to preach on yesterday. You went in your 
own strength and failed; now go in the strength of 
the Lord and he will help you." Finding there 
was no excuse to be accepted by the elder, he took 
his Bible and once more sought seclusion in the 
woods, where, in great agony of mind, he poured 
out his soul in prayer till the hour for preaching 
arrived. At the signal to call the people together 
for worship, he returned to the encampment. With 
much trembling and fear he went upon the stand 
and commenced the opening services. In his 
prayer he threw himself wholly upon the Lord. 
With a tremulous voice he read his text. He had 
not proceeded far till all fear of man left him, and 
with his eye fixed upon the glory of God in the sal- 
vation of souls, he passed through to the close of 
his sermon. The congregation was greatly moved, 
and tears fell fast from many eyes. 

At the close of this Conference year, 1834, he 
was admitted on trial in the Ohio Conference, and 
appointed junior preacher to Oxford circuit. At 
the close of the year he discontinued, and entered 
Miami University as a student. In this institution 
he made rapid advancement. During his residence 
at Oxford he was united in marriage to Miss Ada- 
line Fay. He did not remain in the University to 
complete his collegiate course, but he laid the 



250 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

foundation of an education which he afterward pur- 
sued without the aid of an instructor till he took 
high rank among learned men. After spending a 
few sessions at the University, he determined to 
again enter the itinerancy. In the Fall of 1838 
he was admitted on trial in the Indiana Conference 
and appointed in charge of Noblesville circuit. 
Here the writer saw him for the first time, and 
formed his acquaintance, which ripened into friend- 
ship and intimacy — an intimacy closer than he ever 
enjoyed with any other man. 

Mr. Berry spent two years on this circuit, and 
was much admired and esteemed by the people. At 
this time Campbellism was rife in that region. By 
request, Mr. Berry preached a sermon on baptism, 
in Noblesville, which was such a staggering blow 
to exclusive immersion that the friends of that the- 
ory rallied to its support to save it from its fall. 
In a short time after the delivery of that sermon, 
Mr. Berry received a challenge from Eev. F. W. 
Emmons, a disciple of Alexander Campbell, for a 
public debate on the mode of baptism. Mr. Berry 
respectfully declined to accept the challenge in a 
private letter to Mr. Emmons, in which he assigned 
his reasons for so doing. That private letter Em- 
mons published, in a garbled form, with his com- 
ments, making many misrepresentations. In reply 
to these misrepresentations, Mr. Berry published a 
pamphlet of forty pages, entitled, ''The Deformer 
Reformed ; or Corruption Exposed : being an ad- 



EEV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 251 

dress to the people of Noblesville, to wlaich is pre- 
fixed a correct copy of the letter published by 
F. W. Emmons." In this pamphlet Mr. Berry 
displayed much forensic skill, and showed himself 
to be a controversialist of no ordinary grade. The 
influence of this publication was to silence, to a 
great extent, the assaults hitherto made upon the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in that place. During 
the two years Mr. Berry labored on Noblesville 
circuit he greatly endeared himself to the people, 
and when he left them they felt that they were 
losing the services of a minister of superior mind, 
talents, and maturity for one of his age. 

In the Fall of 1840 he was appointed to Knights- 
town circuit. Here he labored with much success. 
The people in crowds waited on his ministry. 

In Knightstown Universalism had made a lodg- 
ment, and many of the people were being carried 
away by it. Mr. Berry considered it to be his duty 
to take off the specious garb with which that 
system had clothed itself, and exhibit it in its true 
character. This he proceeded to do in a few sermons 
of great clearness and power. These discourses pro- 
duced great excitement among the Universalists. 
The result was, a preacher of that persuasion, by the 
name of M'Cuen, challenged Mr. Berry to a public 
discussion of the question, ''Will all men be holy 
and happy in a future state?" M'Cuen to affirm, 
and Berry to deny. The challenge was accepted, 
the time for the debate to come ojff fixed upon, and 



252 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the rules by which they were to be governed in the 
discussion arranged. The excitement now ran high. 
The Universalists were sure of a great victory. 
Their champion, M'Cuen, was an old theological 
pugilist, having held thirty-four debates with minis- 
ters of different denominations, while Berry was a 
young man and had never held a public debate, but 
had spent the most of his time since eighteen years 
of age in traveling large circuits as a Methodist 
itinerant preacher, and had not had the advantage 
of even attending a public debate. The contest ap- 
peared an unequal one, and some of Mr. Berry's 
friends feared to have him meet that ecclesiastical 
gladiator. When the time for the commencement 
of the debate arrived, the crowd in attendance was 
so great that no church in town would hold them. 
The discussion was held in a grove. Several Uni- 
versalist preachers were present to assist their 
champion as armor-bearers. The debate continued 
three days. By the close of the first day all fear 
upon the part of Mr. Berry's friends was dissipated, 
and they were proud that they had such a youthful 
defender of the truth. His closing speech, in which 
he summed up the arguments that had been ad- 
vanced, was most overwhelming, bearing every thing 
before it. His soul seemed to catch inspiration from 
on high; his lips and tongue were touched anew 
with a live coal from off God's altar, and his words 
burned as they fell upon the audience. M'Cuen 
and his friends turned pale. At the close of the 



EEV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 253 

debate, Mr. Berry and his friends proposed to pub- 
lish the speeches made in the discussion, a stenog- 
rapher having been employed to take them down, 
but Mr, M'Cuen and his friends would not consent. 

The next year Mr. Berry was appointed to Rush- 
ville circuit. Here he labored faithfully to the 
close of the year, making many warm friends, 
losing none of his reputation as a zealous, faithful 
minister, of superior talents. 

In the Fall of 1842 he was stationed at Wesley 
Chapel, Indianapolis, where he remained two years. 
At this time Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, now of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., who was rapidly rising to his 
zenith as a pulpit orator, was pastor of the Second 
Presbyterian Church. His church and Mr. Berry's 
stood within a stone's cast of each other. Though 
the latter had to stand up in the pulpit by the side 
of this young Demosthenes, he gathered a large 
congregation of admiring hearers, who waited upon 
his ministry from Sabbath to Sabbath. 

At the close of his second year in the capital he 
was appointed presiding elder of Indianapolis dis- 
trict, which he traveled two years, and was then 
appointed presiding elder of Brookville district, 
which he traveled three years. 

In the Summer of 1849 the Joint Board of Trus- 
tees and Visitors of Indiana Asbury University 
elected him President of that institution, to succeed 
Dr. Simpson. He continued to travel his district 
till the close of the Conference year, and then assumed 



254 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

the respoDsibilities of the Presidency. While he 
held this high position the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity was conferred upon him by the Ohio Wes- 
leyan University. In discharging the duties of 
President of Asbury, he brought all the powers of 
his great mind into requisition, devoting all his en- 
ergies day and night to the interests of the institu- 
tion, and to the advancement of the young men 
committed to his care. He drew them to him by 
the strongest chords of esteem and affection. As 
an evidence of this, we give the following extract 
from a letter written since his death, by one who 
had been a student under him, which now lies be- 
fore us : 

"While the whole connection will join me in 
lamentation that one so able to defend has fallen 
from the walls of Zion, and has resigned his silver 
trumpet to another, we know not whom, none but 
those who have enjoyed the advantages of his coun- 
sel and faithful instructions during college life, felt 
the power of his genius and the fervor of his zeal, 
will fully appreciate my bereavement. His mind, 
his countenance, and all his -^bearing, stand before 
me an image of inimitable greatness. We shall no 
more hear his fervid eloquence, that came as the 
dashing of Niagara's waves, nor feel the joy that 
his image imparted when it spoke its approval of a 
virtuous act." 

Dr. Berry was President of Indiana Asbury 
University five years, when he resigned his position 



EEV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 255 

in that institution and was stationed in Centenary 
Church, New Albany. Though eleven years had 
elapsed since he had been engaged directly in the 
pastoral work, he had lost none of his zeal, nor had 
he forgotten how to do that particular species of 
Christian labor, such as conducting prayer meetings, 
meeting the classes, visiting families, etc. 

During this year he was elected President of Iowa 
Wesleyan University, and in July, 1855, entered 
upon his duties as the head of that institution. 
Here he labored four years with success, the insti- 
tution constantly rising under his superintendency, 
the faculty and students feeling that a master-mind 
was among them. 

The leading Methodists of the State of Missouri, 
together with the citizens of Jefferson City, determ- 
ined on founding a university of the first class at 
that city, and several large donations were made as 
a basis upon which to . start the enterprise. 

In lookinsc over the whole Church for the man 
best qualified to take charge of this grand enter- 
prise and carry it through to completion, Dr. Berry 
was selected, and was, by the Board of Trustees, 
elected President and Financial Agent. After ma- 
ture consideration and a great mental struggle, by 
the advice of some of the most prominent men of 
the Church, he concluded, for the sake of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church and the cause of education, 
to accept the position. The faculty and students of 
the Iowa Wesleyan University were loth to give 



256 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

liim up. From a letter which now lies before me, 
written by one of their number since the death of 
Dr. Berry, we quote the following : '' It was with 
great reluctance, with fear and trembling, that we 
gave him up to enter upon his last field of labor, 
from which death so recently called him. He went, 
but not without our sympathies and prayers. But 
little did we think his warfare was so nearly ended ; 
his victory so surely won." In 1857 he took his 
position at the head of the Missouri enterprise, and 
entered upon the arduous duties devolved upon him. 
He w^as not permitted to prosecute the work to 
completion. An inscrutable Providence ordered 
otherwise. He had prosecuted this work but a 
brief space when he was prostrated by affliction. 
In November, 1857, he was attacked with asthma 
and erysipelas combined, which produced paralysis 
of the tongue, throat, cheeks, and lips, depriving 
him almost wholly of speech and the power to swal- 
low medicine or nourishment. In this condition, 
enduring great suffering, he lingered about nine 
months, and died at the house of John G. Buckle, 
Esq., in the city of Cincinnati, whither he had gone 
to obtain medical assistance, on the morning of the 
twenty-third of July, 1858. Being deprived so 
nearly of the power of speech, he could not con- 
verse much, but he wrote many letters to his dis- 
tant friends. This he continued to do almost daily 
up to the period of his death. In these letters he 
expresses his unshaken confidence in God, though 



EEV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 257 

passing through the furnace of affliction. In a let- 
ter written to a friend a few days before his death, 
he says, " My soul has been staid upon the Lord, 
and from day to day I rejoice in his goodness. 
This letter costs me much pain. I write with diffi- 
culty, and it is all about myself — a very unworthy 
object. But Jesus is worthy." 

When the taper of life burned out, his soul 
quietly passed away to join the redeemed at God's 
right hand. His remains were conveyed to Indian- 
apolis, , where a funeral discourse was delivered to a 
large and weeping audience by Eev. James Havens, 
after which they were interred in the old cemetery 
near the city. Dr. Berry was one of the closest 
students — going to the bottom of every subject he 
undertook to investigate. He was an intellectual 
giant. He never allowed himself to go into the 
pulpit without having thoroughly studied the sub- 
ject he expected to present to the people. He 
wrote sketches of all his sermons, but seldom took 
one into the pulpit. At his quarterly meetings, 
when he was presiding elder, after having gone 
through with the labors of Saturday and Saturday 
night, when all others had retired to rest, he 
would take the manuscript containing a sketch of 
the sermon he designed preaching the next day, 
place it upon the mantle before him, then walk the 
room and study, with much prayer, for hours. The 
next day, when he appeared before the congregation, 

his sermon seldom failed to tell upon the people. 

22 



258 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Eev. Allen Wiley once remarked, ^'Such mental 
efforts as Berry makes in preaching are enough to 
prostrate the physical system of any man." It is 
possible that his wonderful mental efforts did induce 
his early death. If so, he fell a sacrifice to his 
Master's cause. 

He was a wise administrator of Discipline, whether 
in charge of circuits, stations, or districts. He was 
no time severe, but fearlessly announced his senti- 
ments where and whenever it was necessary for him 
to do so. To a stranger, there seemed to be some- 
thing in his appearance which said, ''Don't come too 
close;" but he had a kind heart, warm friendship, 
and strong attachments to his friends. 

As a preacher he had few equals, and no supe- 
rior in this country. All his sermons evinced much 
thought, and were often overwhelming in their ef- 
fects. Sometimes the people sat awe-stricken as if 
incapable of moving. At other times, they were so 
thrilled with joy that the loud alleluias would 
roll up simultaneously from many voices, drowning 
the voice of the speaker. At a camp meeting held 
near Cumberland, in Marion county, in the Fall of 
1842, he preached on Sunday morning to an audi- 
ence of several thousand, from, ''Acquaint now 
thyself with him and be at peace; thereby good 
shall come unto thee." As he advanced in his ser- 
mon, the tide of feeling in the vast audience rose 
higher and higher, till he reached his last proposi- 
tion. While describing the good that should result 



REV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 259 

from an acquaintance with God, some one gave ex- 
pression to the thrill of joy that filled the soul. In- 
stantly, hundreds arose to their feet, clapped their 
hands, and shouted aloud the praises of the Ee- 
deemer, so completely drowning the voice of the 
preacher that he took his seat. There was no more 
preaching at the camp meeting that day. The re- 
maining hours and a large portion of the night 
were spent in singing, praying, and praising the 
Lord. Thirty-eight united with the Church as the 
result of that day's labor. 

As an educator Dr. Berry had few superiors. 
Such were his pulpit talents, and such his ability as 
an administrator of Discipline, that many of his 
friends thought it was a mistake in him to leave 
the regular work and confine himself to the labors 
of a literary institution. The opportunities for doing 
good in such an institution are numerous and great, 
but the itinerancy is the great field for usefulness. 

He enjoyed the confidence of his brethren in the 
ministry to a high degree. He was three times 
elected delegate to the General Conference, twice 
from the Indiana, and once from the Iowa Confer- 
ence. He was looked to by many ministers and 
private members as a promising man for the Epis- 
copacy, and would doubtless, had he lived a few 
years longer, been called to that high position in 
the Church. 

He was highly esteemed by his numerous friends, 
and their sorrow was deep when his voice was 



260 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

hushed in death. The following is taken from a 
letter published in one of our Church papers, giv- 
ing an account of the closing scene in the first 
session of the Iowa Conference held after the death 
of Dr. Berry: 

"The occasion was unusually solemn, and mourn- 
fully melancholy. One of the brightest stars in the 
constellation of Christianity; one of the purest lights 
in the firmament of Methodism has reached to an- 
other orbit. The sun of our dearly-beloved brother, 
Eev. L. W. Berry, D. D., went gently down to 
rise with greater beauty and upon a clearer sky in 
a better world. His death was known to us all. 
Our stricken hearts were yet bleeding from the 
wounds inflicted by the hand of the ruthless, un- 
yielding monster. Mt. Pleasant, his former home, 
was draped in mourning, and the bereaved Church 
and his own orphan children were called as mourn- 
ers to the altar of his own place of worship to la- 
ment his departure. 

''The announcement of his death was formally 
made by Eev. Joseph Brooks, A. M., of the Central 
Christian Advocate, who briefly addressed the Con- 
ference in nearly the following words: 'I have to 
announce the death of my dearest earthly friend, 
one bound to me by every tie of Christian love and 
fraternal afi'ection. He died a martyr to a great 
cause. He had the frame and muscular power of a 
giant, yet he spared them not in the work of the 
Lord. His clarion voice was like a trumpet in the 



REV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 261 

proclamation of the unsearchable riches of the Gos- 
pel of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. With 
his mind well stored he had not a treasure or a 
jewel which was not fully emptied into the treasury 
of the Lord; but above all was his great heart 
given to the work of the Lord. He lived in the 
midst of wealth, yet he chose to die poor, unincum- 
bered with the cares of the world. He could have 
joined any profession, would have been an ornament 
to any society, and was well-qualified for any posi- 
tion in Church or State. But he chose rather to 
suffer affliction with the people of God. In the 
mysteries of holiness he had been a lifetime-student, 
but in the closing days of his life he was a model of 
Christian experience, of Christian purity. His like 
I shall scarcely look upon again. He was my friend 
and I loved him. He has passed away and I shall 
meet him in heaven.' 

"Brother Brooks was followed by Eev. C. El- 
liott, D. D. The Doctor spoke warmly of their 
first acquaintance, of the powers of mind, the kind- 
ness of heart, and great usefulness of Dr. Berry 
during life, and of his triumph in death. It was 
affecting to see this venerable servant of God moved 
to tears, and with the simplicity of a child referring 
thus to his departed friend. 

" Eev. J. W. M'Dowel next spoke of taking Dr. 
Berry when a boy of seventeen into the ministry, 
how he labored, how he lived. Brother M'Dowel 
was so moved he sat down bathed in tears. 



262 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

" Brother Hardy called back the recollections of 
his own conversion through the ministry of Dr. 
Berry. 

" Brother Bradley spoke of the kind encourage- 
ment given him in the youth of his ministry by 
Dr. Berry. 

''Bishop Morris arose and with great solemnity 
remarked, ' In the year 1842, when I was holding 
the Indiana Conference, which then embraced the 
whole of the State of Indiana, I asked the presid- 
ing elders, before any appointment was made, to tell 
me, leaving all personal considerations out of the 
question, who was the best and most active availa- 
ble station preacher in the Indiana Conference. 
They responded without a dissenting voice, Lucien 
W. Berry. I then put him down for the charge in 
Indianapolis, the most difficult charge in the Con- 
ference. A great man and a prince has fallen. Dr. 
Berry was a great man. Of course I would not 
say this if he were present. He was of the first 
class of pulpit men in America. He has gone, and 
I trust we shall all meet him up yonder,' (pointing 
to the heavens.) 

''And thus closed these solemn services." 

Dr. Berry did not profess to be perfect, nor do 
his friends claim perfection for him, but all who 
knew him considered him a " burning and a shining 
light," a man of deep piety, one who had laid his all 
on God's altar, a star of the first magnitude. Most of 
his ministerial life was spent in Indiana, and Indi- 



EEV. L. W. BERRY, D. D. 263 

ana is honored with his grave. It was a myste- 
rious providence that one of so much promise 
should be cut down in the prime of life, that so 
brilliant a luminary should set just as it was reach- 
ing its meridian. " But God's ways are not our 
ways." 

In this brief sketch of Dr. Berry we have not 
pretended to write his biography, only to pay a 
small tribute of respect to the memory of a dear, 
intimate, and long-tried friend. We have more 
than one hundred letters written by him in a 
private correspondence of nearly twenty years' con- 
tinuance. We might have selected many passages 
from these letters which would have been interest- 
ing, showing the state of his mind at different 
times, his views upon different subjects, and the 
warm friendship of his heart; but to have done so 
would have extended this sketch beyond the proper 
limits of such a notice. Dr. Berry will never be 
forgotten by those who knew him well. 



264 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

EEV. JAMES HAVENS. 

In attempting to write a sketch of Rev. James 
Havens, we feel our inadequacy to present such a 
portrait of him as his long life, abundant labors, 
extensive usefulness, and great worth demand; and 
yet, we can not consent to leave him unnoticed. A 
long and intimate acquaintance seem to demand that 
we should pay some humble tribute of respect to 
his memory. We knew him when we were in our 
juvenile years; our father's house was his home; 
he and our father were fast friends, united in heart 
like David and Jonathan, and they are, doubtless, 
now together before the throne. We delighted to 
do him reverence ; to take care of his horse, and in 
every possible way to administer to his comfort. 
He was for four years consecutively our presiding 
elder. We have followed him as he led the way on 
many a moral battle-field, and have witnessed many 
a glorious victory achieved by him, through Jesus 
Christ, as the leader of God's sacramental hosts. 
We are sorry we have so little data to write from. 
The lamented Dr. L. W. Berry, some years since, 
commenced writing the biography of father Havens. 
Many interesting incidents in his early life Dr. 



EEV. JAMES HAVENS. 265 

Berry liad noted down, as he received them from 
his lips. Other pressing duties prevented him from 
completing the work, and since his death the manu- 
script can not be found. This is much to be regret- 
ted. There were some things in the life of father 
Havens, contained in that manuscript, that had 
never been given to the world, which are now, 
perhaps, forever lost, biographer and subject both 
having passed away from the busy scenes of this 
life. We have heard Dr. Berry read portions of his 
manuscript, but can not undertake to reproduce from 
memory. 

James Havens was born in Mason county, Ken- 
tucky, December 25, 1791. He was the son of 
John and Nancy Havens. His parents were not 
educated persons, but possessed vigorous minds. 
His father had a strong, elastic, physical constitu- 
tion, and lived to an advanced age. His mother 
died when he was young, and his father married 
again. He cherished the fondest recollections of his 
mother, though she was taken from him when he 
was a small boy. 

In 1805 his father emigrated to Ohio, he being 

in the fourteenth year of his age. All his early life 

was spent in a new country, in the backwoods. 

This subjected him to many disadvantages, but 

there were some advantages; these were turned to 

good account. He was deprived of the advantages 

of schools and the means of mental culture, but his 

having been brought up under the toils and hard- 

23 



266 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

ships of a life upon the frontier, developed his phys- 
ical powers, made him bold and fearless in what he 
undertook to do, and taught him self-reliance. This 
assisted to prepare him for the work that was before 
him. 

In 1811 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna 
Higgenbotham. Their union proved to be a most 
happy one. They lived together in uninterrupted 
connubial bliss for many years, she acting well her 
part in all the vicissitudes of life. They reared up 
a large family of children in respectability. Three 
of their sons, Landy, George, and David, became 
itinerant Methodist preachers. 

In 1811, soon after he was married, he was con- 
verted and united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church under the ministry of Kev. James B. Finley. 
It has been stated that he was the first person Mr. 
Finley received into the Church after he entered 
the itinerancy. From the time of his conversion 
and union with the Church, he turned his attention 
entirely to the subject of religion and the salvation 
of souls, except what was absolutely necessary to 
meet the wants of his family. It was not long till 
he felt that a dispensation of the Gospel was com- 
mitted unto him — that "Woe is me if I preach not 
the Gospel!" His want of an education and an 
abiding sense of his own weakness — of his lack of 
qualification for the work of the ministry — a calling 
so high and holy, made him tremble and caused him 
great distress of mind. He was often made to ex- 



EEV. JAMES HAVENS. 267 

claim, "Lord, I can not preacli! I am willing to do 
any thing I can do. How can I preach?" But 
wherever he went, by day and by night, "Woe is 
me if I preach not the Gospel !" was sounding in his 
ears. He has often been heard to say in the latter 
years of his life, that he did not believe any man 
ought to be allowed to preach who did not feel that 
everlasting woe would be his portion if he did not — 
that it was trifling with sacred things — a crime for 
any man to enter the work of the ministry merely 
as a profession. The idea of any man's choosing it 
for himself was in his estimation most erroneous. 
He believed God chose that work for certain men, 
and called them to it by impressing the fact so 
deeply upon their minds as to make them feel, 
" Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel!" After 
some months of groaning and sighing, he yielded, 
and was in the same year in which he was married 
and united with the Church, licensed to preach. 
He was a local preacher ten years, preaching as of- 
ten as he could, having to labor for the support of 
his family. 

In 1821 he was admitted on trial in the Ohio 
Conference, and appointed to Salt Creek circuit. 
In 1822 he was appointed to Straight Creek circuit. 
In 1823 he was received into full connection and 
ordained elder, having been ordained deacon as a 
local preacher. This year he was appointed to 
Brush Creek circuit, with Kev. Henry B. Bascom 
preacher in charge. This was to him an important 



268 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

year in his ministerial and itinerant life. Here lie 
formed an intimate acquaintance with and a friend- 
ship for Mr. Bascom that was never broken off. By 
an intimate and close association with him he dis- 
covered that he had been misjudged by many per- 
sons who thought him to be proud and aristocratic 
in his feelings. He found him to be a most humble 
and deeply-pious minister. His association with 
Mr. Bascom this year was of great advantage to 
him in his ministry. 

In 1824 he was transferred to the Illinois Confer- 
ence, and appointed to Connersville circuit. This 
was his introduction into the State of Indiana. He 
located his family on some wild land he had pur- 
chased in Rush county, not far from Rushville. In 
this vicinity his family ever afterward resided, while 
he traveled circuits and districts near and remote. 
Some were wont to censure him for keeping his 
family local, while he was a traveling preacher. 
Had he moved his family from year to year, he 
would have broken down and been compelled to lo- 
cate. His family was large. He and his good wife 
were blessed with fifteen children. To have dragged 
these from circuit to circuit every year would have 
consumed a handsome fortune, when his quarterage 
receipts ranged from thirty to one hundred dollars 
per year. By locating his family on his own land 
where they could find employment, and where he 
could occupy what little time he had to spend with 
them in improving and cultivating his farm, and by 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 269 

the industry, frugality, and economy of his excellent 
wife he continued in the itinerancy, gave his chil- 
dren a fair education, supported them decently, and 
accumulated a handsome lit'tle property upon which 
he and his wife could lean for support in the time of 
old age. When and where did James Havens neg- 
lect his appropriate work because his family were 
located? The abundant blessings God bestowed 
upon him are evidences that his course was appro- 
bated by the Great Head of the Church. 

In 1826 he was appointed to Whitewater circuit, 
where he traveled two years. In 1828 he was ap- 
pointed to Eushville circuit. His health having to 
some extent failed, in consequence of his abundant 
labors, he was returned the next year to Eushville 
in charge as supernumerary, with a colleague to 
assist. In 1830, not having recovered his health, 
he was continued in a supernumerary relation and 
appointed in charge of Whitewater circuit with a 
colleague. 

At the close of this year he was so broken down 
in health that notwithstanding his burning zeal in 
his Master's cause he was compelled to yield and 
take a superannuated relation. After resting a 
month or two, and recruiting his health a little, 
such was his unquenchable desire to be actively 
engaged to do something for the good of mankind 
and the glory of God that he took an agency from 
the "American Sunday School Union." In this de- 
partment he labored till toward the close of the 



270 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

Conference year, traveling quite extensively, organ- 
izing Sunday schools, and arousing the people on 
the subject of the great Sunday school enterprise. 
The next year, 1832, his relation was changed to 
that of supernumerary, and he was appointed Con- 
ference agent. In 1833 he was made effective, and 
appointed presiding elder of Madison district. The 
next year he was appointed presiding elder of Indi- 
anapolis district, where he continued four years. 
Having served the disciplinary term on the Indian- 
apolis district, he was, in 1837, appointed agent for 
the " Preachers' Aid Society." At the close of this 
Conference year he was appointed presiding elder 
of Centerville district, and the next year to Con- 
nersville district. At the close of this year he was 
appointed to Indianapolis district, where he con- 
tinued as presiding elder four years, when he was 
appointed to Eushville station. This had been his 
home since he came to Indiana. Here he had been 
preaching more or less each year for twenty years, 
and yet the people received him gladly. The next 
year he was stationed at Greensburg; in 1846 at 
Laurel. During this year his station was blessed 
with one of the most powerful revivals ever known 
in the Whitewater country. As the work continued 
from day to day it increased in interest and in 
power, till at the hour of service sinners by scores 
went forward to the altar without an invitation and 
kneeled down to be prayed for before the serv- 
ices had regularly commenced. Mr. Havens was 



BEV. JAMES HAVENS. 271 

returned to Laurel the following year. At the close 
of this year he was appointed to Greensburg dis- 
trict, which he traveled three years, and was then 
appointed presiding elder of Indianapolis district, 
which he traveled four years, when he was ap- 
pointed Conference missionary. 

Time and toil wore down his physical system till 
he was constrained to retire from the active work 
and take a superannuated relation, which he sus- 
tained to the close of his long and useful itinerant 
life. Though superannuated he did not cease preach- 
ing. He was called for in various places to assist 
at quarterly and protracted meetings, to preach 
funeral, missionary, and dedication sermons. 

No man has done more for the moral and relig- 
ious advancement of the citizens of Indiana than 
Mr. Havens. When he came to the State there 
was much wickedness — intemperance, gambling, and 
profanity. Against these and all other vices he 
took a decided stand, attacking them wherever he 
went. He shunned not to declare the whole counsel 
of God, "giving to saint and sinner their portion in 
due season." He was bold and resolute — was never 
known to quail before an enemy. If he did not 
succeed in accomplishing whatever he undertook, it 
was because he could not. He only failed after 
having put forth all his strength. 

An incident occurred when he was a boy twelve 
or fourteen years of age which made a deep impres- 
sion upon his mind and taught him a lesson that 



272 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

profited liim in all after life — never to despair or 
cease his efforts to accomplish a good thing as long 
as he had any strength left. The family were mov- 
ing. The country was new. They came to a river 
some two hundred yards wide which had to be 
ferried. The wagon and team, stock, and family 
had all been ferried across save James, who, for 
some reason, had been left behind. The ferry-boat 
had by some means become disabled, so that it 
could not be taken back after him. Night was 
approaching. There was no house near to which 
he could go for protection and shelter. There 
seemed to be no alternative but for James to swim 
the river or remain alone among ravenous beasts 
through the night, and till the boat could be re- 
paired the next day. His father, speaking to him 
across the river, asked him ''if he could swim it." 
He said he ''would try." He put into the water. 
The current, which was rapid, carried him down 
stream. He became discouraged, finding his strength 
giving way. But his father walked slowly down 
the river on the bank for which he was struggling, 
and constantly encouraged him by saying, "Don't 
be discouraged, my son ; you '11 come out. Do n't 
be discouraged, James; you'll reach the shore." 
These words of encouragement from his father 
nerved him afresh, and putting forth all his remain- 
ing strength he reached the shore much exhausted, 
and was assisted from the water by his father. 
This incident he frequently referred to in conversa- 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 273 

tion in after life as being an important period in his 
life. 

When he traveled a circuit in Ohio, there was 
one neighborhood in which the men generally were 
so rough and wicked that no one had made an effort 
to establish religious worship among them. Mr. 
Havens determined to give them a trial, and accord- 
ingly made an appointment to preach in a school- 
house in the neighborhood. The wicked inhabitants 
sent a message informing him that he should not 
preach, and if he made his appearance on that day 
they would mob him. As the time drew near his 
friends tried to dissuade him from his purpose, but 
he was resolved to fill his appointment or fail after 
every effort he was capable of making had been put 
forth. "When the day arrived he took a few faith- 
ful friends and went to the school-house. When 
they arrived there they found the door locked and 
a large company of men, with a jug of whisky, in 
the yard. They threatened what they would do if 
he attempted to preach. Mr. Havens stepped upon 
a log near by and told them he had come to preach, 
and, by Divine assistance, intended to do so. He 
dared any of them to cross a pole which lay a little 
way in front of him till he invited them. He then 
announced the following text : " Yea, the light of 
the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his 
fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his 
tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with 
him. The steps of his strength shall be straitened, 



274 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

and his own counsel shall cast him down. For 
he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh 
upon a snare. The gin shall take him by the heel, 
and the robber shall prevail against him. The 
snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for 
him in the way. Terrors shall make him afraid on 
every side, and shall drive him to his feet. His 
strength shall be hunger-bitten, and destruction 
shall he ready at his side." Job xviii, 5-12. While 
he poured out the terrors of the law not a man 
dared to move toward him, but many of them 
turned pale and stood trembling, while some wept 
freely. At the conclusion of his sermon he told 
them ''if they desired to escape the damnation of 
hell, and would obtain mercy and pardon, and be 
prepared for heaven, to come and kneel down at 
the log upon which he stood and he would pray for 
them." Several came. His victory was complete. 
We give another incident: In the bounds of a 
circuit which he traveled in Ohio, there lived a 
pious lady whose husband was so desperately wicked 
that he would not allow her to hold membership 
in any Church, nor suffer any minister to visit her. 
He owned a large farm and kept a distillery, em- 
ploying many hands. He was a man of great mus- 
cular power, and was when enraged feared by most 
men. This pious lady's health declined till she was 
prostrated upon her bed. Mr. Havens desired to 
visit her, but his friends thought if he did he would 
get himself into trouble, and accomplish no good. 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 275 

Keflecting upon the subject for some time, he felt 
it his duty to go, and resolved to make the attempt. 
His plan was to spend a night at her residence. 
He selected a friend to accompany him. They arrived 
at the place a little before the going down of the 
sun. He introduced himself to the lady, telling her 
who he was, and had some religious conversation 
with her. She expressed great gratification in see- 
ing and enjoying with him a few minutes' conversa- 
tion on the subject of religion, but said she could 
not invite him to stay all night, as her husband 
would not allow it. He told her to give herself no 
uneasiness on that subject, that he had come to stay 
all night and that he expected to do so. 

He and his friend went out and put their horses 
in the stable, but did not venture to feed them. A 
little after dark the lady's husband came in with 
his hired hands from the farm. When he entered the 
room his wife introduced him to Mr. Havens. He 
immediately commenced abusing preachers, saying 
none had ever staid about his house, and never 
should. Mr. Havens informed him that he need 
feel no uneasiness on that account so far as he was 
concerned, that he had simply come in the discharge 
of his duty as a minister, to visit his sick wife. In 
a short time supper was announced in an adjoining 
room. This man and his hired men commenced 
gathering around the table, but no invitation was 
p^iven to the visitors. Mr. Havens passed quickly 
in 10 the room and took a seat at the table. As 



276 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

soon as he was seated he commenced asking a bless- 
ing. The landlord, who had not yet taken a seat, 
stood in amazement. While they were eating sup- 
per he continued his attacks upon religious people, 
particularly upon the Methodists, and very particu- 
larly upon Methodist preachers. Mr. Havens occa- 
sionally parried his thrusts. When supper was over, 
as they passed into the room where the sick woman 
lay, the husband said to Mr. Havens: '^Well, you 
asked a blessing at my table, but you sha' n't pray 
in my house." He had no sooner spoken the words 
than Mr. Havens said, '^Let us pray," and drop- 
ping upon his knees offered up a most earnest 
prayer, in which he presented the case of the sick 
lady, telling the Lord of her sufferings and trials, 
asking that grace might be vouchsafed unto her, 
and that God would have mercy upon her husband, 
and bless him and the children of the family. Dur- 
ing the prayer the landlord stood aghast. At its 
conclusion he called his hired men and went off to 
the still-house. 

Mr. Havens spent the evening till bedtime in re- 
ligious conversation with the sick lady and her 
children. He and his friend were directed to lodge 
in a bedroom at the end of a long portico. Late in 
the night they heard the landlord with some of his 
hired men returning from the still-house. It was 
not long till they heard horses running in the barn- 
yard and dogs baying them. Mr. Havens said to 
his friend, "That fellow has turned ovir horses out 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 277 

of the stable, and is trying to dog them off. We 
must go and see to it." His friend pleaded to remain 
where they were — that it would be hazardous to go 
out, but he said, "No; we must go and see after 
tliem." They arose, and quickly dressing themselves 
went out to the barn-yard. Sure enough, the land- 
lord was there hissing his dogs on their horses. Mr. 
Havens said to him, ''Sir, what are you dogging our 
horses for?" The reply was, ''You were too cursed 
lazy to feed them, and they have broken down my 
stable door and got out." "Very well," said Mr. 
Havens, "if that is all that is lacking we will at- 
tend to that now," and accordingly put them in the 
stable and gave them plenty of corn and hay. They 
then returned to the house and lay down again. 
The next morning they arose early and were pre- 
paring to depart when the landlord told them they 
could not leave till after breakfast. Said he, "You 
loould stay all night, and you would pray, now you 
shall pray this morning, and have your breakfast 
before you go." They cheerfully consented. 

Mr. Havens prayed with the family before break- 
fast, and when they were all seated at the table the 
landlord very politely invited him to ask a blessing. 
When they were about leaving the landlord said to 
Mr. Havens, " You are the only preacher that ever 
prayed in my house, or staid all night with me. 
Whenever you are passing this way call on me, and 
I will treat you like a gentleman." We give these 
incidents to show a prominent trait in Mr. Havens's 



278 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

character — a resolute will, a firmness of purpose to 
accomplisli whatever he undertook. 

He was a man of great power in prayer. Often 
while praying before preaching, Divine power so 
rested upon the congregation that sinners were 
made to tremble and the pious were filled with the 
love of God. He made it his rule to ask the Lord 
for whatever he needed. An incident occurred 
when he was preparing to enter the itinerancy 
which greatly encouraged him in all his after life 
to go to the Lord with all his wants. He was 
somewhat in debt, but had a sufficient amount in 
good promissory notes if he could cash them for any 
thing near what they called for to pay all his in- 
debtedness. Times were hard and money scarce. 
There was but one man in all the region where 
he lived who paid cash for promissory notes. He 
was very wicked, and when he found a man in 
straitened circumstances he shaved him without 
stint, sometimes to half the amount of the face of 
the note. There was no alternative for Mr. Havens 
in raising the amount of money necessary to meet 
his indebtedness but to go to this extortioner. On 
his way he turned aside from the road, alighted 
from his horse, got down upon his knees and told the 
Lord his circumstances, that he was preparing to 
enter the itinerancy to call sinners to repentance; 
that he needed money to pay his debts, and earn- 
estly besought him to soften the heart of the man 
to whom he was going, and influence him to let him 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 279 

have what money he needed at a reasonable per 
cent. When he reached the residence of the man 
he wished to see, he told him he was preparing for 
the itinerancy ; that he had some good notes and 
wanted them cashed, as he was in need of money, 
and requested him to discount them as lightly as 
possible. The man took his notes, looked at them 
a moment, then went to his drawer, counted out 
the money and returned, saying, ''Havens, I believe 
you are an honest man. You say you want to pay 
your debts and then go and preach. Here, I '11 give 
you the face of your notes." And so he did, dollar 
for dollar. 

Mr. Havens was particularly in his element when 
conducting the services at a camp meeting. On 
such occasions his great power over an audience, 
his ability to command were more fully developed. 
He was one of the best generals that ever took 
command of God's sacramental host on an encamp- 
ment. When he had to come in contact with those 
who were disposed to violate the rules adopted for 
the government of such meetings, he never suf- 
fered a defeat. On one occasion, when he was hold- 
ing a camp meeting on the southern border of 
Marion county, a huckster came and established 
himself with his commodities a short distance from 
the encampment, in violation of the law. Mr. 
Havens went to him and requested him to leave 
and go to a more remote distance, where he would 
not, by his traffic, produce disturbance. He refused 



280 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

to do SO, and threatened if he was not let alone he 
would, with the whisky he had aboard, make drunk 
enough men to go to the encampment and drive 
the Methodists, preachers and people, from the 
ground. Mr. Havens left him and returned to the 
encampment, had the trumpet sounded and the peo- 
ple collected at the stand as quickly as possible. 
He told them what the huckster threatened to do, 
and called upon the young men in the audience to 
know if they were going to allow their mothers, 
wives, and sisters to be insulted and driven off the 
ground in that way. ''No! no! no!" was re- 
sponded from every part of the audience. One 
young man arose and said, " Mr. Havens, we will 
rout him. Come on, boys!" and, leading the way, 
some two hundred young men followed him. They 
proceeded to the huckster's establishment and in- 
formed him that he must leave immediately. He 
said " he reckoned not." They told him '' it was even 
so." He proposed to go in a few hours. They said, 
'' Now, immediately, or we will stamp your traps in 
the ground beneath our feet." They made him 
pack up and move instanter. They followed him 
some distance, and then warned him what the con- 
sequences would be in case he returned. 

In fighting Satan at a camp meeting, if Mr. 
Havens did not succeed by one mode of attack he 
would change his tactics, and try another way. We 
give one instance: He was holding a camp meet- 
ing in Hamilton county. It had been in progress 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 281 

several days, but the Church had gained no decided 
victory. The camp-ground had been occupied for 
several years. Some of the meetings held there 
had not been very successful. Mr. Havens called 
"a council of war." He proposed to the preachers 
to fight the battle the approaching night upon new- 
ground — not in the old altar. Said he, ''We have 
fought the devil there till he understands that ground 
as well as we do; we will take him by surprise to- 
night." His plan of battle was agreed upon. The 
encampment was large, the tents inclosing much 
more space than was filled up with seats. He 
ordered several posts planted in the open space upon 
which to place lights, and a quantity of straw to 
be spread upon the ground where the light-posts 
stood, then a number of benches were brought and 
placed upon the straw. While these preparations 
were being made the people looked on with wonder 
and amazement. The inquiry was frequently made, 
'' What does this mean ? what are they going to do 
here?" but Mr. Havens and his preachers did not 
reveal the plan of battle. About the going down 
of the sun, he ordered prayer meetings commenced 
in various tents in difierent parts of the encamp- 
ment, and appointed skillful men to lead them. Af- 
ter night had fully closed in, and while the prayer 
meetings were in full blast, he formed a circle of 
men joining hands around the light-posts and 
benches, directing them to admit no one within the 

circle but penitents, preachers, and such other per- 

24 



282 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

sons as lie might direct, and who would heartily 
enter into the spirit of the meeting. 

He then appointed men to go to the different 
prayer meetings, and at the sound of the trumpet 
bring out the people and come sing to the circle, 
and if there were any penitents to bring them in 
and seat them upon the benches. By this time the 
excitement was running high. At the sound of the 
trumpet the people came in every direction from 
the prayer meetings, their songs rising and swelling, 
making the leaves upon the forest trees vibrate to 
the heavenly strains. The wicked were awe- 
stricken. Several penitents were brought inside 
the circle. Mr. Havens mounted a bench and gave 
an exhortation for burning pathos and moving power 
as seldom comes from the lips of man. At the con- 
clusion, and while the congregation were singing 
that good old hymn, commencing, 

" Come, ye sinners, poor and needy," 

some sixty or seventy weeping penitents crowded 
within the circle. The services continued till a late 
hour at night. Many souls were born of God, and 
the shout was heard afar off. The victory was com- 
plete. From this time the camp meeting went on 
gloriously. The next evening Mr. Havens said to 
the preachers, ''We will fight the battle to-night in 
the old altar. The devil expects us to fight him 
up yonder where we did last night, but we will 
take him by surprise again." 

Many incidents might be given showing different 



REV. JAMES HAVENS, ^3 

traits in liis cliaracter, but some of them have been 
published, and to give those that have not would 
extend this sketch beyond its proper limits. 

His mind was vigorous and active — well-stored. 
His education was very limited when he entered 
the work of the ministry, but by industry and per- 
severance he acquired an extensive knowledge of 
men and things. He studied books closely. He 
was thoroughly acquainted with the standard writ- 
ings in Methodist theology, and was well-skilled in 
using them. The Bible was his main book of study. 
He " searched the Scriptures " daily, and knew well 
how to handle the " Sword of the Spirit." He was 
a close student of men and things, and gathered a 
revenue from every thing around him. Few men 
were better judges of human nature than he. He 
could come as near forming a correct judgment of 
a man's character by closely scanning his counte- 
nance a,s any other person. Some very striking 
proofs of this might be given. He was of sanguine 
temperament, devoted in his friendship. His social 
qualities were of a high order. He possessed an 
almost inexhaustible fund of anecdote and repartee.. 
Whoever undertook to break a lance with him in 
that way was very certain to come off second best. 
He had great compass of voice. It was soft and 
mellow in its tones till it became shattered by ex- 
cessive labor. He knew well how to modulate it. 
He could throw it with great effect upon the ears 
of his hearers. He has frequently said he '' thought 



284 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

he could tell when his voice hit the people" during 
the delivery of his sermons. He enjoyed the full 
confidence of his brethren in the ministry. He was 
three or four times elected delegate to the General 
Conference. The number of years he filled the im- 
portant office of presiding elder shows to what ex- 
tent he enjoyed the confidence of the appointing 
power. 

As a preacher father Havens — for so he was called 
all the latter years of his life — stood in the first rank. 
He understood well the doctrines of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and was an able defender of 
them. He seldom failed, especially on popular 
occasions, to move and stir the souls of his audience 
to their very depths, and cause tears to flow in 
copious showers. His powers of declamation were 
of the highest order. Bev. Allen Wiley once said, 
"James Havens is the best declaimer I ever heard." 
He had a peculiar talent for presenting that which 
was awful. He frequently preached from such texts 
as, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor 
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou 
goest;" and, "Woe to him that striveth with his 
Maker," and such subjects as led him to speak of 
the second coming of Christ, the resurrection, the 
destruction of the world, the day of judgment. 
But he did not present these alone. He loved to 
tell the story of the cross ; to speak of the Chris- 
tian's triumph in a dying hour; of the glories of 



REV. JAMES HAVENS. 285 

heaven, and of saints robed in white, with harps in 
their hands. He had no stereotyped sermons. 
Though he used a text he had preached before, he 
always prepared a new sermon. He has, perhaps, 
preached to more people in Indiana than any other 
man. His faithful wife died a short time before his 
work was done, and left him to finish his journey 
alone. From the time of her death he never re- 
gained his former cheerfulness. Among the last 
acts of his ministerial life was to preach a sermon 
on Sunday, standing at the head of his wife's grave, 
with the Bible resting upon her tombstone, to a 
large and weeping audience. 

After a painful and protracted illness, on the 
fourth day of November, 1864, in Kushville, he 
closed his eyes on all terrestrial things and opened 
them on the glories of heaven. He died in holy 
triumph, feeling that the Gospel he had preached to 
multiplied thousands in Indiana sustained and com- 
forted him in a dying hour. His voice, which had 
fallen with so much melody upon the ears of listen- 
ing thousands, is now forever hushed in death. Its 
trumpet tones shall no more be heard cheering on 
the faithful soldiers of the Cross, and inviting sin- 
ners to the Savior, crying, " Behold ! behold the 
Lamb !" We see and hear him no more, but '' his 
works do follow him." " He being dead, yet 
speaketh." 



286 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 



CHAPTER XXXIY. 

EEV. ISAAC OWEN. 

The subject of this sketch is worthy "to be had 
in everlasting remembrance," and will long live in 
the affections of those who knew him. The more 
intimately he was known, the more highly was he 
appreciated. He was not so attractive at first sight, 
but as your acquaintance ripened he would draw 
you close and closer to himself. 

Isaac Owen was born in Wilton, Vermont, March 
8, 1809. In 1811 he was brought by his parents 
to Indiana, then a Territory. His father settled in 
the woods in Knox county. Like most of the early 
emigrants, he was poor; hence he could not make 
extensive provision for the comfort of his family. 
This subjected Isaac as he grew up to many hard- 
ships and privations. To be the son of a poor man 
'in a wilderness country did not bode a bright fu- 
ture. As an instance of the hardships and priva- 
tions to which his father's family were subjected, 
we give the following as related by Mr. Owen in 
after years : '' When I was a boy we lived in the 
woods, in Knox county. Grist mills were few and far 
between. In order to get meal to make our bread 
we had to pound the corn in a hominy mortar, with 



EEV. ISAAC OWEN. 287 

a pestle. In the Winter season, sometimes having 
no shoes, I was driven to the expedient of heating 
blocks of wood to stand upon, in order to keep my 
bare feet from the frozen ground, while I pounded 
the corn to make meal for our bread." 

In 1824 his father fell a victim to the disease 
and exposures incident to a new country, leaving 
him with his widowed mother to struggle with all 
the infelicities of poverty. She had early sown the 
good seed in his tender mind, and had daily carried 
him. in the arms of faith and prayer before the 
throne of Heavenly mercy. And now, being left a 
widow, all the care of her children devolving upon 
herself, with greater earnestness she besought the 
widows' God to lead her children '' to the Kock that 
was higher than they." It was not long till her 
prayers in Isaac's behalf were answered. In the 
sixteenth year of his age he was converted and 
joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Boy 
though he was, he took up the cross and began to 
pray in public. Continuing faithful, growing in 
grace and in the knowledge of Divine things, he 
was, after a time, licensed to preach. This laid 
upon him a burden which was hard to bear; never- 
theless, throwing himself upon the Lord, he found 
grace to enable him to stand in his lot. In the Fall 
of 1834 he was admitted on trial in the Indiana 
Conference, and sent to Otter Creek mission. 

Mr. Owen's early opportunities to obtain an edu- 
cation were poor, but possessing great energy of 



288 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

character he applied himself to study with diligence, 
using the facilities he had to the best advantage. At 
the end of two years he was received into full con- 
nection in the Conference and ordained deacon, and 
at the end of four years graduated to elder's orders. 

Though he traveled hard circuits for several years, 
he continued to apply himself closely to study. 
When he had pretty thoroughly mastered the En- 
glish grammar, he commenced the study of the 
Greek language, which he continued to pursue till 
he obtained a fair knowledge thereof. While en- 
gaged in his literary pursuits he did not neglect the 
study of theology, but divided his time between his 
literary and theological studies. He attained quite 
an eminence as a theologian. 

As a preacher he was plain, clear, logical, and 
forcible, always shedding light upon the subject he 
had in hand. Though not an orator, he seldom 
failed to make an impression upon his hearers, and 
often moved his congregation to tears. His delivery 
was good, his voice pleasant. He had an inventive 
genius, full of expedients, ready for any emergency. 
As an evidence of this we give one instance. When 
he was a boy some twelve years old, the country 
new, the forest dense, the population sparse, he 
went into the woods one day in search of some 
missing cattle. Traveling in various directions, he 
lost his course and became bewildered, so that he 
could not tell in which direction his home was. 
For an hour or two he strove to right himself, but 



EEV. ISAAC OWEN. 289 

all in vain. He was still lost. The sun was getting 
low, night would soon close in — something had to 
be done. The faithful old family dog was with him. 
Believing the dog knew the course home, he hit 
upon the following expedient. Having cut a switch 
he called the dog to him, took hold of him, gave 
him a good basting and then let him go. The dog 
bounded away through the thick woods, and the boy 
after him at the top of his speed. The dog soon 
distanced him and was out of sight, but Isaac 
kept on the course the dog had gone, and about 
dark arrived safely at his father's cabin. 

Mr. Owen was original in preaching — he did not 
allow himself to use skeletons prepared by other 
men. He selected his texts and then prepared his 
sermons on the texts. He did not first make his 
sermon and then search for a text to suit it. He 
had a strong, clear, discriminating mind, and could 
look into a passage of Scripture and soon see the 
points to be presented to the congregation. He had 
a peculiar faculty for raising money for Church pur- 
poses. His great success was not so much before a 
public congregation as by personal application. If 
he called upon a man for a contribution and he de- 
clined to give, the more he declined the more Owen 
good-naturedly pressed his plea. If the man be- 
came surly or crusty Owen was the more bland and 
pleasant. He seldom failed to obtain a contribution 
if he called upon a man. 

He was one of the four agents first sent out to 
25 



290 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

raise an endowment-fund for Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity. To say he was successful in his agency 
would be to say what is w^ell known to the friends 
of the institution in its early history. He served 
in the agency four years, and in that time suc- 
ceeded in raising, by the sale of perpetual scholar- 
ships, about sixty- three thousand dollars. He did 
more to build up Indiana Asbury University, finan- 
cially, by raising funds, than any other man. 

He labored fourteen years in Indiana as an itin- 
erant. In 1848 he was appointed one of the first 
missionaries to California, and in the Spring of 
1849 crossed the plains with his family. Soon after 
reaching California, and before he had commenced 
housekeeping, he lost all his personal goods by the 
sinking of a steamer. This left him in great desti- 
tution, a stranger in a strange land. But, nothing 
daunted or discouraged, he went to work, trusting 
in his Divine Master. He was the first man ap- 
pointed to the presiding eldership in California. 

In physical stature Mr. Owen was of medium 
size, well-proportioned. He had a finely-formed 
head, inclining to baldness, hair dark, a well-de- 
veloped forehead, piercing black eyes, a dimple in one 
cheek, a well-curved mouth, and always wore a 
pleasant smile. He was afiable, social, kind in his 
disposition, and affectionate. As descriptive of the 
latter part of Mr. Owen's life, and of the final clos- 
ing scene, we take the following from a funeral ^dis- 
course preached before the California Conference by 



EEV. ISAAC OWEN. 291 

Kev. John Daniel : " The following shows that 
amid his many cares and labors his mind was 
dwelling on the final conflict : ^ I keep death before 
me. I regard it a mere question of time and as 
the end of toil, the end of care. My time in this 
world is growing short. I hope to be able to im- 
prove the few hours I may enjoy as so many precious 
hours of probation, and to honor Christ my Savior 
and Eedeemer.' 

*' Again : ' I feel that my time for improvement 
in this world is short, yet I am as strong for all 
the duties of my office as I was years ago. My 
great desire is to finish life with life's labors. The 
thought of being put on the retired list is horrible 
to me. Let me cease to work and live the same 
day.' 

*'His death was in near accordance with his 
wishes. What seemed at first to be a trivial acci- 
dent to his hand had proved the cause of great suf- 
fering and physical prostration. On coming home 
from the Santa Cruz quarterly meeting, he could 
scarcely retain his place in the saddle, and* had to 
be assisted from his horse. The brethren in San 
Francisco, the place of his next meeting, learning 
of his prostrate condition, kindly sent word that 
they would excuse him, while all pecuniary require- 
ments should be met and attended to as if he were 
there. But he could not be prevailed on to rest. 
He went to the city, and on Friday morning filled 
an appointment at Oakland, returning in the after- 



292 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

noon. In the evening, having an appointment in 
the Folsom-Street German Church, he went, and 
though not able to preach, delivered an address to 
those present, and conducted the business of the 
quarterly conference as usual. This was his last 
public service. He grew worse, retired to the par- 
sonage in connection with the church of his last 
service, where he lingered till Friday, February 9, 
at one o'clock, when he quietly fell asleep. In his 
last moments he had the soothing attentions of his 
wife and kind ministerial brethren, together with 
the best medical aid. His ruling passion of life — to 
labor for the Church — was manifest in his affliction, 
but it was in harmony with the will of God. His 
words in the brief period of his last illness were 
free, but they were in unison with his life and with 
his sacred calling. To one he spoke of how delight- 
ful it would be to go and enjoy the Christian's re- 
ward. When desired to try and get rest, he said, 
' I shall soon be at rest.' To a brother minister he 
said, ' The waves are dashing around me, but I 
have measured the depth of the waters; they will 
waft me to a peaceful shore.' Again he said, ' The 
river is cold, and deep, and calm.' " 

Thus passed away our beloved brother Owen after 
nearly thirty-two years uninterrupted employment 
in the vineyard of the Lord. Industry, zeal, and 
faithfulness marked his life; resignation, serenity, 
and hope in his dying hours. Heaven's holy rest, 
the Savior's glory, is the unending reward. 



EDWARD BROWN. 293 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

EDWARD BROWN. 

The subject of this sketch having emigrated to 
Indiana at an early day labored faithfully in the Ee- 
deemer's cause, wielding an extensive influence for 
good, and having maintained a high reputation for 
moral integrity, is worthy to be remembered, and 
deserves a permanent record. 

Edward Brown was born in Baltimore county, 
Maryland, June 7, 1774. When a small child he 
was brought by his parents to the State of Ohio. 
In his youth he returned to Baltimore county, 
where he served an apprenticeship. When fully 
grown to manhood, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Elizabeth Kemp, a young lady well qualified 
to be a " help-meet " for him. Soon after his mar- 
riage with his wife he went to the city of Balti- 
more, where he took up his residence. He con- 
tinued to reside in the city till September, 1819, 
when, with his family, he started for the then Far 
West, On the seventh day of December following, 
he arrived in New Albany, Indiana, then a small 
town on the Ohio Eiver. Here he resided to 
the close of his life, a period of thirty-six years. 
Father Brown — as he was familiarly called all the 



294 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

latter years of his life — was of medium hight, with 
a well-proportioned physical frame. His neck was 
short, face broad, mouth wide, nose prominent, 
forehead well developed, hair black, parted upon 
the top of his head, and falling down to his shoul- 
ders. His countenance indicated great firmness and 
decision of character. His appearance was intel- 
lectual. In the prime of life his walk was erect 
and his step firm. 

He was converted in the seventeenth year of his 
age, alone in the woods, while engaged in prayer. 
The evidence of his conversion was so clear and sat- 
isfactory that he never afterward doubted that God 
did, for Christ's sake, then and there pardon his 
sins. His soul was filled unutterably full of joy. 
He soon told his friends what great things the Lord 
had done for him. He did not connect himself with 
any branch of the Church till 1804, when he joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in the city of Bal- 
timore. From that time to the end of his life his 
attachment to the Church of his choice increased in 
strength; and though many of his friends — among 
them his brother, Eev. George Brown, D. D. — went 
off with those who formed the Methodist Protestant 
Church, he remained firm in his adherence to the 
old Church. Such were his talents, religious zeal, 
steadfastness, and upright walk from the time he 
united with the Church that he soon became a 
prominent member. He was an intimate friend of 
Bishop George, and was one of the pall-bearers at 



EDWARD BROWN. 295 

the Bishop's funeraL While residing in the city of 
Baltimore he was licensed to officiate in the Church 
as an exhorter, which relation he retained through 
life. He was a member of the first class organized 
in New Albany, and was also a member of the first 
boards of stewards and trustees organized in the 
place. These offices he filled with great accepta- 
bility and usefulness, ever watchful of the interest 
and welfare of his pastor, the poor, and the Church ; 
and when, from infirmity, he could no longer serve 
actively in these offices, his brethren continued him 
in them as a token of respect for his past services. 
As a steward he was a safe counselor of the pas- 
tor, ever attentive to the wants of his family, mak- 
ing it his rule to visit them once or twice every 
week to see if they needed any thing for their com- 
fort. As trustee he was faithful in discharging the 
duties of that important office, looking well to the 
comfort of the congregation when assembled for 
worship. As an exhorter he was not showy, but 
impressive. Understanding well the doctrines of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, he never incul- 
cated error. He was gifted in prayer, and always 
prayed with great fervency of spirit. He had 
strong confidence in the efficacy of prayer. Having 
been converted while wrestling with the Lord in 
prayer, he delighted to pray with penitents at the 
altar. Many precious souls have been " brought out 
of darkness into the marvelous light," while father 
Brown was presenting their cause before the blood- 



296 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

besprinkled tlirone. Being "diligent in business," 
he accumulated a very handsome property, which 
he used to the glory of God, giving liberally to the 
support of the Church and all benevolent institu- 
tions. He was plain in his apparel, wearing the 
old-fashioned round-breasted Methodist coat, and 
broad-brimmed drab hat. He was a great enemy 
to pride, and was faithful in his testimony against 
it when and wherever he thought he saw it devel- 
oped, in the Church or out of it, in preachers or 
private members. He was opposed to church- 
steeples with bells hung in them, to gayety in the 
apparel of the members of the Church, jewelry, 
vails, ruffles, and artificial flowers; to ministers 
wearing their beard. All these he believed to be 
the developments of pride, and, as he often ex- 
pressed it, "came from the devil and would go to 
the devil." He was very decidedly opposed to the 
use of a richly-decorated hearse, with its nodding 
plumes, and the great display often made on funeral 
occasions in cities. He believed them to be displays 
of vanity, and evil in their tendency, often causing 
families to expend an amount of money to keep up 
appearances on these solemn occasions they were not 
able to afford. 

He repeatedly made the request of his friends 
that when he should die his body should not be 
placed in a hearse to be conveyed to the grave; 
that there should be no display of carriages in his 
funeral procession, saying, " When I die I want to 



EDWARD BROWN. 297 

be carried to the grave on the shoulders of my 
friends, all the people marching on foot. If I have 
not friends enough to carry me to the grave, put 
me upon a dray. Do n't let my body go into a 
hearse J' Some may think that in all this father 
Brown was governed by a prejudice which was the 
result of a lack of refined cultivation, but such was 
not the fact. All who knew him awarded to him 
honesty and Christian candor in his opposition to 
whatever he believed to be the result of pride. He 
was a faithful witness for Jesus, ever ready to tes- 
tify that '' Christ has power on earth to forgive 
sins; that the blood of Jesus can cleanse from all 
sin; that perfect love casteth out all fear that hath 
torment." In 1841 the wife of his youth was taken 
from him by death. This he felt to be a sore trial, 
but grace sustained him. After the death of his 
wife he found a home with his son-in-law and 
daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Beeler, who kindly admin- 
istered to his comfort as the infi.rmities of advanced 
age came upon him. As he drew near the close 
of life his soul ripened for the heavenly garner, 
death lost all its terror, and the grave its gloom. 
He looked forward to the moment of his depart- 
ure with great delight. A few days before his 
death he went to the undertaker and selected a 
plain coffin, in which he wished to sleep his last 
long sleep, and had it set aside till it should be 
needed. He then went to the city cemetery and 
pointed out to the sexton the precise spot in his own 



298 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

family lot where he wished to be buried, saying 
*' There I want my body to rest till the resurrection 
morn." The evening before he was attacked with 
his death sickness he led the family devotion. He 
was unusually drawn out in prayer. In his peti- 
tions he embraced all the Churches, particularly the 
one in which he had so long lived and labored. He 
was greatly blessed. In the morning he was very 
ill. His sickness was of short duration. In the af- 
ternoon of March 16, 1855, he finished his earthly 
pilgrimage, in the eighty-second year of his age, 
having been a member of the Church fifty-one 
years. In accordance with his request his remains 
were carried on a bier, the oldest citizens of New 
Albany serving as pall-bearers, to Wesley Chapel, 
where a funeral discourse was delivered to a large 
congregation from Hebrews xi, 14. At the close 
of the sermon the procession formed, all marching 
on foot to the grave, where the funeral services 
were read. Father Brown lived a long life of earn- 
est, consistent piety, and died respected by all who 
knew him. 



REV. CALVIN W. RUTER. 299 



CHAPTER XXXYI. 

REV. CALVIN W. RUTER. 

All the efforts I have made to obtain informa- 
tion in regard to Mr. Eater's early life; the place 
of his birth; his training in childhood and youth; 
when and where he was converted and united with 
the Church, etc., have been unsuccessful. In at- 
tempting to write a sketch of him I am well aware 
I can not do justice to his memory, or present such 
a portrait of him as his great worth demands ; nev- 
ertheless, as he was so prominently connected with 
the planting of Methodism in the State, and did so 
much to lay the foundation of the Church deep and 
broad, I can not consent to pass him by unnoticed, 
for he was, in the language of Eev. D. M'Intire, in 
a letter now before me, "one of the apostles of 
Methodism in Indiana." As a tribute to the mem- 
ory of an able minister of the Lord Jesus this brief 
sketch is presented, leaving to others who knew him 
better, and who wield an abler pen, to write more 
at large. 

Calvin W. Ruter was born in one of the New 
England States some time in the year 1790. In 
youth he came to the State of Ohio. His surround- 
ings were such as to throw him principally upon 



300 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

his own resources, which tended much to his devel- 
opment, physically and mentally. In early manhood 
he performed some hard manual labor. Having 
been converted, and having united with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, he was licensed to preach, 
and, according to the bound " Minutes of the Sev- 
eral Annual Conferences," he was received on trial 
in the Ohio Conference in the Fall of 1818. His 
first appointment was to Steubenville circuit, with 
Samuel Hamilton and William Knox for his col- 
leagues, he being the junior preacher. At the close 
of his second year in the Conference, in the Fall of 
1820, he was admitted into full connection, ordained 
deacon, and transferred to the Missouri Conference, 
which embraced all of Indiana except Whitewater, 
Lawrenceburg, and Madison circuits. Mr. Euter 
was appointed to Silver Creek circuit as preacher 
in charge, with Job Baker for his colleague. This 
was his introduction into the work in Indiana. The 
circuit was large, covering the territory known as 
"Clark's Grant." On this circuit he emphatically 
made his mark, planting the Church in some locali- 
ties where it still continues to flourish and grow. 
Samuel Hamilton, who had been his colleague on 
his first circuit in Ohio, where their hearts had 
been knit together like those of David and Jona- 
than, was now his presiding elder. This year a 
camp meeting was held in the bounds of the cir- 
cuit, superintended by Hamilton, the presiding el- 
der, and Euter, the preacher in charge. The 



EEV. CALVIN W. RUTER. 301 

following account of that camp meeting is taken 
from a sketch written by Eev. W. H. Goode, of 
North Indiana Conference, which now lies before 
me : " This camp meeting was held, perhaps, in Oc- 
tober. . . . One morning, looking out from their 
tents, they discovered the whole face of the earth 
covered with snow. [Eather chilling we should say 
to their prospects.] But these men of God were 
nothing daunted, and the tent-holders, too, were no 
fair-weather Christians. The people hungered for 
the Bread of Life; souls were there to be saved; 
firmly they maintained their post in prayer and 
supplication. God looked down upon the scene. 
The sun melted away the snow, and the Word of 
God melted the hearts of the people. A Pentecostal 
scene ensued. Souls in large numbers were con- 
verted — the neighborhood was revolutionized. Al- 
most half a century has passed and still one of 
the leading country churches of Southern Indiana 
marks the spot. Many an aged pilgrim, the stead- 
fast fruit of that revival, is still on the way, sur- 
rounded by a godly household of the second and 
third generations. Some half a dozen of the con- 
verts entered the Christian ministry." 

Mr. Kuter continued to reside and labor in Indi- 
ana to the close of his useful life. He was, through 
failing health, at different times compelled to take 
a superannuated relation to his Conference; but 
was, when his health would allow it, found in the 
effective ranks. He filled some of the most im- 



302 INDIANA MISCELLANY. 

portant stations as pastor, and was for several years 
presiding elder. He enjoyed the confidence of his 
brethren in the ministry in a high degree, and was, 
by them, elected three or four times to represent 
them in the General Conference of the Church. 
He was a member of the General Conference of 
1844, which met in the city of New York, when 
the celebrated cases of Bishop Andrew and Eev. 
Francis A. Harding came before that body. Dur- 
ing his superannuation he filled several offices of 
public trust honorably and acceptably to the people. 
He was postmaster in the city of ISTew Albany for 
four years under the administration of President 
Polk, after which he held the office of Register of 
the Land-Office, at Indianapolis, for four years. 
He did not allow these offices to interfere with his 
attachment to the Church, nor his devotion to her 
interests. Though superannuated he. took a lively 
interest in every thing that pertained to the pros- 
perity of Zion, and preached as often as his health 
would allow. He was a man of fine appearance,' 
having a physical frame about six feet in hight, 
well-proportioned, and a finely-developed forehead. 
He was always dignified, and would, by his lofty 
bearing, attract attention in any company or delib- 
erative body. Any one looking upon his noble 
form would have been impressed that he was a man 
of much more than ordinary intellect and talents. 
His education was fair — above mediocrity. His ad- 
ministrative abilities were of the first class. He 



REV. CALVIN W. RUTER. 303 

was cautious, mild, prudent, firm. He understood 
well the Discipline of the Church. His talents as 
a preacher were of a high order. His voice was 
pleasant, and at times of great compass. He knew 
well how to use it. He could tell an incident with 
great effect. In his sermons he was very pathetic, 
and often moved his audience to tears. When in his 
full vigor few men were more successful in preach- 
ing on popular occasions, such as camp meetings 
and quarterly meetings. On camp meeting occa- 
sions he was a good commander, knowing well 
how to direct the battle and use the forces he 
had to the best advantage. Eev. W. H. Goode, 
in his sketch from which we have already quoted, 
speaking of Mr. Enter as a preacher, says : '' His 
preaching was plain, clear, lucid ; always mak- 
ing out fairly what he took in hand; sound in 
theology and rich in Christian experience, as well 
as eminently practical. But his great strength 
lay in his pathos and the melting appeals that 
often closed his discourses. These were, at times, 
overpowering, especially at camp meetings and 
on popular occasions. At such times he ordi- 
narily left the pulpit broken down, prostrate in 
bodily strength ; but brought down the ' pillars ' 
of the temple with him." As a friend Mr. Enter 
was kind, generous, and true. Eev. J. A. Brouse, 
of the South-Eastern Indiana Conference, in a com- 
munication which now lies before me, says : '' My 
acquaintance with brother Enter commenced in the 



304 INDIANA MISCELLANY. P 

Fall of 1832, which continued till his death. From 
the time of our first acquaintance we kept up a reg- 
ular correspondence. We have been associated to- 
gether in the work of the ministry. He has been my 
presiding elder, and I have been his. In all these 
relations I ever found him a confidential friend and 
safe adviser." The exact date of his death is not 
now known to the writer, but was about 1859. He 
died on Saturday, in the afternoon, at his residence 
near Patriot, in Switzerland county. He had 
preached a sermon in the forenoon characterized by 
his usual power and efficiency. In the afternoon, 
while engaged in shaving himself, he was attacked 
by his old enemy, the heart disease, and fell upon 
the floor a corpse. Thus passed away this distin- 
guished minister of the Lord Jesus. In the morn- 
ing of his last day on earth he cried, ^' Behold ! be- 
hold the Lamb!" and in the afternoon fell asleep in 
Jesus. He and his compeers. Strange, Hamilton, 
Wiley, Havens, and Armstrong, are now together 
around the throne. 



THE END. 



